■ 

A 


THE 

MOUNTAIN 

COTTAGER; 

0  R, 

WONDER  UPON  WONDER. 

A  TALE. 


TRAXSLAtED   FROM  THE   GERM  Ay  Of 

C.  H.  SPIESS. 


u  Ye  vifions  that  before  me  roll, — 

€i  That  freeze  my  blood, — that  fhake  my  foul,- 

u  Are  ye  the  phantoms  of  a  dream  ?'* 

H.  M«  WILLIAMS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
Printed  by  and  for  W\  W.  Woodward,  No.  17. 
Cbesnut  Street,  Franklin's  bead. 


i8oo* 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/mountaincottager01spie 


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THE  MOUNTAIN 


COTTAGER. 


CHAP.  I. 


T  the  foot  of  the  mountains  which  ie- 
parate  Savoy  from  Switzerland,  there  lived, 
at  the  end  of  the  laft  century,  in  a  humble 
village,  and  a  yet  more  humble  cottage,  a 
poor  Savoyard.  In  his  youth  he  had  travel- 
ed through  Germany  with  a  marmot,  and,  by 
the  exhibition  of  this  animal's  tricks  and  gam- 
bols, had  not  only  gained  a  livelihood,  but 
had  alfo,  by  his  extraordinary  frugality,  fa- 
ved  a  tolerable  capital.  With  this  he  return- 
ed homewards,  refolving  to  build  himfelf  a 
little  cottage  in  his  native  country,  to  take  a 
wife,  and  to  fpend  the  remainder  of  his  days 
in  quiet.  A  t  p  ATcd  through  Swabia  in  his 
way  home,  he  became  acquainted  with  a  poor 
but  lively  young  maiden,  who  pleafed  him 
extremely.    He  made  known  his  fentiments 


4  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


to  her,  his  fuit  was  crowned  with  fuccefs,  and 
ftie  accompanied  him  as  his  wife  into  Sa- 
voy. 

After  an  union  of  thirty  years  uninterrupt- 
ed happinefs,  {he  died,  and  left  him  fix  fons, 
the  three  elder  of  whom  were  fettled  in 
France  in  the  bufinefs  of  cleaning  fhoes  ;  the 
two  next  worked  in  the  mines  of  their  own 
country  ;  and  the  youngeft,  as  his  mother's 
favourite,  was  ft i  11  at  home.  He  was  a  ftout 
Pomely  youth  of  feventeen,  and  would,  if  bet- 
ter dreffed,  have  excelled  in  appearance  ma- 
my  Barons  and  Counts,  and  have  engaged  the 
attention  of  many  fair  ladies.  "  It  mull  not 
go  on  thus  any  longer,"  faid  his  old  father  to 
him  one  day  ;  "  here,  if  you  work  like  a  beaft 
of  burden,  you  can  fcarcely  earn  dry  bread  ; 
follow  the  example  of  your  brothers)  and  go 
mto  fome  other  country.  They  have  fuc- 
ceeded  by  this  means,  and  fo  did  I,  and  there 
is  no  fear  of  your  not  doing  the  fame.  The 
fooner  you  go,  the  better ;  I  give  you  my 
blefTmg,  and  for  your  mother's  fake,  a  dollar 
for  your  journey,  and  thus  furnifhed  you  are 
fecured  from  want." 

The  young  Wolfgang,  for  fuch  was  the 
name  which  his  mother  h&d  given  him,  ac~ 
c  pted  the  blefiing  and  the  money,  and  fat 
out  the  next  morning.    The  charming  def- 


The  Mountain  Cottager, 


criptions  this  tender  parent  had  often  given 
him  of  her  native  country,  had  long  excited 
his  curiofity,  and  he  now  determined  to  gra- 
tify it  by  going  thither.    Before  he  arrived 
there,  he  laid  out  his  whole  capital  in  moufe- 
traps  and  hatchels,  which  he  underftood  how- 
to  make  himfelf,  and  which  his  father  told 
him  were  a  welcome  commodity  in  every 
German  village.    The  truth  of  this  he  foon 
experienced.     He  perfectly  underftood  the 
German  language,  and  with  the  innate  elo-  -:. 
quence  of  all  Savoyards,  knew  lb  well  ho\#* 
to  recommend  his  ware  to  the  old   mothere  d 
and  the  young  maidens,  that  his  capital  was 
often  returned  in  a  week  with  realbnable  profit; 
befides  which,  he  had  generally  a  bit  of  bread 
given  him,  fometimes  a  dinner  or  flipper,  and 
always  a  night's  lodging.  By  all  thefe  means 
he  was  enabled,  as  early  as  from  Nuremberg, 
to  remit  two  dollars  to  his  father  by  a  fellow 
countryman,  who  was  returning  home. 

From  Nuremberg  he  went  into  Baireuth, 
and  wandered  accidentally  into  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  celebrated  Fichtelberor 
Here,  as  he  came  one  evening,  quite  fatigued, 
-  into  a  village,  he  knocked  in  vain  at  feveral 
doors  for  admiffion,  being  every  where,  to  his 
great  furprife,  turned  away  contumelioufly, 
and  was  thus  obliged  to  do  what  had  feldom 
happened  to  him,  leek  his  night's  lodging  at 

A  2 


6  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


the  public-houfe.  Scarcely  had  he  entered 
the  dcor  when  the  holt  came  towards  him 
cap  in  hand,  and  exprefled  the  higheft  fatis- 
facYion  at  having  the  happinefs  and  the  ho- 
nour of  entertaining  fo  illuftrious  a  gueft. 
With  a  profufion  of  thefe  compliments,  he 
compelled  the  Savoyard  to  go  into  a  little 
parlour,  and,  without  paying  any  regard  to 
his  remonftrances  againfl  this,  he  called  to 
his  wife,  who  was  in  the  kitchen  preparing 
fuppcr  for  her  fervants — "  Kate,  give  up 
^Whatever  you  are  about!  kill  the  fineft  chick- 
Jri  !  mull  fome  wine  !  cook  the  beft  of  every 
thing  that  you  have  in  the  houfe  !  the  long 
ex  petted  gueft  is  arrived  \  make  hafte,  and 
let  nothing  be  wanting  !n  The  hoftefs  wel- 
comed this  news  with  loud  acclamations  of 
joy,  and  prepared  to  execute  thefe  orders 
with  the  greateft  expedition. 

Wolfgang,  who  could  only  imagine  that 
they  were  in  fome  error  refpedling  him,  now 
feized  the  hand  of  the  bufy  hoft.  u  Sir,"  he 
faid,  u  you  mud  be  miftaken  about  me  ;  I 
am  only  a  poor  Savoyard  who  fells  moufe- 
traps  and  hatchels,  and  how  can  I,  therefore, 
deferve  fuch  a  reception  ?" 

Host.  "  Sit  down,  noble  Sir,  fit  down  ! 
you  muft  be  tired  !  When  a  perfon  travels  fo 
far  on  foot,  who  is  not  ufed  to  it,  he  muft  be 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


7 


doubly  tired  ! — Ha  !  ha !  ha  !  I  miftake  !  ha  ! 
ha  !  ha  !  I  do  not  miftake.  I  am  indeed  on- 
ly a  poor  hoft,  but  yet  I  know  much  that 
others  do  not  know.  Such  a  happinefs,  fuch 
an  honour,  does  not  happen  to  one  every 
day,  and  one  muft  endeavour  to  make  onefelf 
worthy  of  it." 

Wolfgang.  "  Dear  honeft  man,  it  is  irn- 
poflible  but  that  you  muft  miftake  me  !  I  re- 
peat it  once  more,  I  am  a  poor  Savoyard, 
and  earn  my  bread  by  this  little  trade,  and 
only  beg  for  a  night's  lodging." 

Host.  "  Ha  !  ha  I  ha  !  quite  right !  that  you 
fhall  have  indeed  with  all  my  heart.  I  only 
regret  that  I  am  not  in  a  fttuation  to  receive 
fo  illuftrious  a  perfon  according  to  his  deferts; 
and  I  hope  your  honour  will  take  the  will  for 
the  deed.  A  knave  only  gives  more  than 
he  has." 

Wolfgang.  "  Sir,  tired  as  I  am,  you  will 
conftrain  me  to  go  and  feek  a  night's  lodging 
with  fome  peafant.  Here  muft  be  fome  mif- 
take, of  which  I  will  on  no  account  take  ad- 
vantage." 

Host.  You  will  not  make  me  fo  unhappy  ! 
will  not  defpife  me !  certainly,  certainly,  I 
-   underftand  it.    I  have  blundered  to  be  fure? 


8 


Tbe  Mountain  Cottager. 


but  out  of  pure  joy,  out  of  pure  delight  !  I 
mould  not  have  been  fo  flupid — I  mould  have 
conlklered  you  as  what  you  would  be  con- 
fidered  !  I  beg  pardon  a  thoufand  times  ;  but, 
ftay  now  !  I  mall  quite  defpair  if  you.defpife 
my  houfe,  and  would  feek  a  night's  lodging 
elfewhere." 

Wolfgang.  "  I  underftand  your  excufes  as 
little  as  your  invitation.  You  call  me  4  No- 
ble Sir,  your  Honour  !'  I  repeat  it  again, 
you  muft  miftake  me,  and  while  you  do  this, 
I  cannot  pofiibly  confent  to  remain  at  your 
houfe." 

Host.  "  Well,  well  {  I  willingly  own 
that  I  have  blundered.  I  underfland  my  er- 
ror, and  beg  pardon.  I  know,  and  believe 
indeed  that  you — yes,  that  you  come  out  of 
Savoy,  and  deal  in  moufe-traps  and  hatchels. 
Are  you  eafy  now  ?  Are  you  fatisfied  ?  Will 
you  ftay  with  me  ?" 

Wolfgang.  "  Witli  all  my  heart ;  it  is  in- 
deed my  requeft.  But  now  you  muft  forbid 
the  (upper  which  you  have  ordered. 

Host.  "  No  !  no  !  any  thing  that  you  will 
but  that.  I  know  wha$  is  proper  and  be- 
coming. I  love  the  Savoyards  with  all  my 
heart,  and  you  muft  give  me  leave  to  enter- 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


tain  you  in  the  beft  manner  that  is  in  my 
power." 

Wolfgang  ( laughing.)  "  My  hunger  would 
make  that  very  agreeable,  but  it  would  be 
very  ill  fluted  to  my  purfe.  And  in  order 
flill  further  to  convince  you  of  your  error,  I 
muft  tell  you,  that  my  whole  (lore  would 
fcarcely  be  fufficient  to  pay  for  this  repaft." 

Host.  "  To  pay  !  Who  fpeaks  of  payment! 

it  is  not  as  a  landlord,  but  as  as  a  good 

friend,  that  I  entertain  you  with  what  little  I 
have.  To  pay  !  no,  no  !  underftand  me  bet- 
ter. If  you  would  give  me  a  handful  of 
ducats,  I  would  not  accept  a  fmgle  one  of 
them.  Stay  a  week,  fray  a  month,  Hay  a 
whole  year  with  me,  and  I  give  you  leave  to 
call  me  the  meaneft  fellow  in  the  world  if  I 
mould  defire  a  fmgle  kreutzer  of  you  !  I  have 
been  in  foreign  countries,  and  I  know  how 
it  is  when  one  meets  by  chance  with  a  good- 
natured  man,  who  will  fhare  his  little  with 
one.  What  I  do,  I  do  with  an  honed  heart, 
out  of  good- will,  and  you  muft  not  defpife  it." 

Wolfgang.  "  No,  certainly  not.  I  accept 
it,  on  the  contrary,  with  many  thanks."' 

Host,  "  You  make  me  quite  afhamed  ! 
You  thank  me  ! — I  have  fajd  truly,  I  do  it  out 


io  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


of  no  felfifh  views,  but  merely,  if  you  will, 
as  a  good  work  ;  and  fuch  are,  perhaps,  often 
richly  rewarded  before  one  expecls,  or  has 
formed  any  idea  of  it.  You  will  Hay  with 
me  V* 

Wolfgang.  "  How  can  I  refift  fuch  an 
invitation  !  My  father,  who  was  alfo  in  Ger- 
many " 

Host.  u  Aye  !  was  he  ?  was  he  ?  well  that 
doubles  my  joy,  if  he  has  indeed  been  in  our 
country." 

Wolfgang.    "  It  is  very  poflible.'' 

Host.  a  Aye,  aye !  ha  !  ha  !  it  is  very  pof- 
fibie.  B.ut  you  were  going  to  tell  me  iome- 
thing  of  your  oapa — of  your  father,  I  would 
lay." 

W olfgang.  "  My  father  has  related  much 
to  me  of  the  honefly  and  good-nature  of  the 
Germans;  but  fuch  an  honour,  fuch  an  invi- 
tation, I  believe  fcarcely  happened  to  him  in 
his  travels." 

Host.  "  Well,  that  rejoices  me  ;  rejoices 
me  exceedingly  !  But  now  fit  down." 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  1 1 


Wolfgang  ( sits  down  Ju  I  muft  intreat  you 
once  more,  if  you  are  miftaken  in  my  perlon 
and  fooner  or  later  difcover  this  miftake,  that 
you  will  not  impute  any  blame  to  me.  I  think 
I  have  done  everything  in  my  power  to  con- 
vince you  that  1  am  nothing  but  a  poor  Sa- 
voyard !  Read  my  paffport,  which  will  yet 
more  fully  confirm  it." 

Host.  "  I  believe  it,  indeed  ! — but  be- 
caufe  you  command  it,  I  will  read  the  pail- 
port,  (•  reads  it,  and  gives  it  to  him  again^ 
laughing.)  Aye,  aye,  all  right,  exactly  as  you 
have  faid  !  A  paffport  is  always  neceflary  on 
a  journey,  whether  one  travels  as  one  of  us 
or  as  a  great  perfon  incognito-,  but  I  mud 
now  give  fome  directions  ;  I  mall  not  leave 
you  for  a  long  time;  I  will  be  here  again  im- 
mediately." 

The  hoft  ran  up  and  down,  rinfed  the 
glaffes,  brought  a  clean  table-cloth,  and  clean- 
ed the  tin  fpoons  with  chalk,  while  Wolfgang 
fat,  not  knowing  what  to  think  of  thefe  pre- 
parations. He  was  often  tempted  to  doubt 
whether  the  hofl:  was  in  his  right  fenfes ;  but 
all  the  reft  of  his  actions,  and  particularly  the 
accuracy  with  which  he  heard  him  in  the 
next  room,  noting  down  to  every  gueft  his 
mug  of  beer,  convinced  him  to  the  contrary, 
and  increafed  his  furprife. 


12  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


The  fupper  was  ferved  up,  with  an  hun- 
dred apologies  from  the  hod  for  not  being 
able  in  fuch  a  hurry,  to  get  any  thing  better. 
The  hoftefs  added  herfelf  to  the  company ; 
but,  notwithstanding  Wolfgang's  moil  ear- 
ned folicitations,  he  could  not  prevail  on  ei- 
ther her,  or  her  hulband,  to  fit  down  with 
him  to  table  ;  both  ftood  behind  his  chair, 
and  waited  his  commands.  He,  who  had 
never  been  fo  handfomely  entertained  in  his 
life  before,  forgot  all  his  fcruples  at  the  fight 
of  the  fmoking  difhes  ;  and  to  the  great  joy 
of  the  hoftefs,  he  ate  heartily,  and  drank  fe- 
veral  glaffes  of  the  light  wine  of  the  country 
to  her  health. 

After  rifing  from  table,  he  was,  with  a 
thoufand  compliments,  conducted  to  the  bed- 
chamber, where  the  hoft  and  hoftefs  intreated 
him  to  put  up  with  their  mean  accommoda- 
tions, and  to  confider,  that  they  had  not  fo 
foon  expected  fo  welcome  a  gueft. 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  13 


C    H    A    P.  IL 

OLFG ANG,  as  foon  as  he  was  alone, 
began  to  reflect  on  his  unexpected  good  for- 
tune.   He  could  not  imagine  howthefe  peo- 
ple came  to  diflinguifh  a  poor  Savoyard  by 
ilich  kind  behaviour,  unlefs  from  forne  mif- 
take,  and  only  compofed  himfelf  by  the  re- 
collection  of  his  not  having  by  any  means 
contributed  to  this.    The  foft  bed  foon  pre- 
vented all  farther  reflection,  for  he  fell  into 
a  found  fleep,  out  of  which  he  was  firft  awa- 
kened, late  the  next  morning,  by  a  gentle 
knock  at  his  door.    He  arofe,  and  dreffing 
himfelf  haftily,  opened  it  to  fee  who  was  there, 
when  the  hoftefs  ftepped  in  with  coffee,  and 
every  thing  proper  for  brdakfaft  ;  hoped  her 
gueft  had  ftepf  well,  and  alked  if  he  would 
permit  a  gentleman  out  of  the  neighborhood 
to  breakfaft  with  him.    Wolfgang  replied, 
that  he  had  nothing  to  command  here,  and 
confequently  as  little  to  permit ;  that  a  break- 
faft, as  well  as  fach  a  vifit;  v/as  to  him  an  un- 
deferved  and  unexpected  compliment,  and 
mull  entirely  depend  on  the  gentleman's  in- 
clination to  do  him  this  honor^  • 

The  hoftefs  went  out,  and  returned  in  a 
few  minutes  with  a  rather  elderly  leaking 


14  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


gentleman,  drefled  in  a  fuit  of  green  clothes 
laced  with  gold.  Wolfgang's  embarrafirnent 
at  the  light  of  him  was  very  great ;  he  had 
neyer  been  ufed  to  vifits  of  this  kind,  and 
knew  not  what  to  underftand  by  it.  The 
only  conjecture  that  feemed  plaufible  to  him 
was,  that  this  gentleman  was  come  with  the  * 
view  of  fetting  the  hoft  right  reflecting  the 
incomprehenfible  error  that  he  had  fallen  in- 
to with  regard  to  him.  It  was  therefore  no 
wonder  that  he  flood  quite  confounded,  and 
began  to  tremble,  and,  but  from  the  confci- 
oufnefs  that  he  had  in  no  way  contributed  to 
this  error,  he  would  not  have  been  able  to 
fupport  himfelf ;  but  confufed  as  he  was,  he 
foon  faw,  to  his  great  aftonifhment,  that  his 
vifiter  was  not  in  a  better  fituation  :  for  after 
making  many  filent  bows,  and  then  a  prom- 
fion  of  compliments,  begging  pardon  for  the 
liberty  which  he  had  taken,  and  fpeaking  of 
unexpected  happinefs  and  honor,  he  re- 
mained quite  at  a  lofs  ;  and  endeavoured,  by 
coughing  frequently,  to  conceal  his  confu- 
fion. 

Little  as  Wolfgang  knew  of  the  world,  he 
foon  perceived  that  this  gentleman  was  not 
come  to  threaten,  or  injure  him  in  any  way  ; 
and  he  waited  quietly  for  what  was  to  follow 
this  extraordinary  behaviour.  He  entreated 
the  ftranger  to  fit  down,  who,  in  return,  af- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  15 


furecl  him  that  he  could  not  on  any  account 
obey  his  commands,  till  he  did  the  fame  him- 
felf.  They  then  fat  down  together,  and  the 
bufy  hoftefs  began  to  pour  out  the  coffee. 

Wolfgang  now  learned  from  her  converfa- 
tion,  that  his  vifiter  was  a  perfon  of  rank,  and 
Lord  of  the  Manor  of  this  village  ;  and  that 
he  had  a  line  cattle  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
from  thence,  where  it  was  his  pleafure  to  en- 
tertain all  foreigners. 

The  noble  Baron,  who,  as  I  lhall  conceal 
his  real  name,  will  be  called  the  Baron  von 
Tiefenthal,  confirmed  every  thing  that  the 
hottefs  laid,  and  added,  that  he  would  etteem 
it  a  real  happinefs  and  honor  if  Wolfgang 
Would  vifit  him,  and  fpend  fome  time  at  his 
cattle.  Much  furprifed  as  he  had  already 
been  with  the  Baron's  vifit,  he  was  now  in- 
finitely more  fo  at  his  invitation  ;  his  amaze- 
ment was  indeed  fo  great,  that  he  had  not 
power  to  make  him  any  anfwer. 

Baron.  "  I  indulge  great  hopes  of  enjoy- 
ing this  happinefs,  and  entreat  once  more  that 
you  will  grant  my  requeft." 

Wolfgang.  "  Noble  Sir,  you  confufe  and 
furprife  me  to  the  greateft  degree.  What 
can  induce  you,  if  I  may  be  fo  bold  as  to  alk 


1 6  Tbs  Mountain  Cottager. 


the  queftion,  to  invite  a  llranger,  a  poor  Sa- 
voyard, to  your  caflie  ?  you  mult,  through 
fome  inconceivable  error,  take  me  for  another 
per  ion  of  far  more  confequence.  I  affure  you 
molt  folemnly,  that  the  coat  which  I  wear  is 
perfectly  fuited  to  my  rank ;  that  thefe  are 
my  bed,  my  only  clothes  ;  that  my  father  is 
indeed  honeft,  but  one  of  the  pooreft  among 
all  the  inhabitants  of  Savoy.  Now  I  have  faid 
this,  it  remains  for  you  to  decide  whether 
yen  will  repeat  an  invitation  that  I  fo  little 
deferve." 

Baron.  "  I  not  only  repeat  it,  but  aflure 
you  again  that  it  will  give  me  the  greateft  plea- 
lure  if  you  will  accompany  me." 

Wolfgang.  "  How  I  Hill  deferve  this  ho- 
nour after  fuch  a  declaration  as  that  which 
I  have  made,  I  cannot  comprehend  ;  but  it 
would  be  folly  in  me  now  if  I  refufed  to  ac- 
cept it.  The  ways  of  God  are  wonderful ; 
and  that  I,  a  poor  llranger,  mould  find  here 
a  friend  fo  difinterelled  and  of  fuch  eminence, 
is  certainly  his  doing.  I  mall  to  day  attend 
your  Honour,  and  at  leaf!  endeavour,  by  my 
gratitude,  to  deferve  the  favours  which  you 
fo  undefervedly  bellow  on  me." 

Baron.  "  You  millake  me,  if  you  ima- 
gine that  I  think  myielf  difinterelled  in  my 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  17 


invitation,  or  that  I  merit  gratitude  for  it :  I 
merely  fulfil  my  duty,  and  a  vow  that  I  have 
made,  to  receive  the  firft  foreigner  who 
mould  vifit  our  country,  at  my  caftle,  and 
render  his  May  here  as  agreeable  as  poffible. 
But  now  I  have  feveral  petitions  and  propo- 
ials  to  make  to  you  ;  will  you  be  fo  good  as 
to  give  me  your  attention  ?" 

Wolfgang.  u  Your  generofity  and  courte- 
oufnefs  quite  confound  me  :  command  me, 
and  in  whatever  it  is  in  my  power,  I  will 
obey  you." 

Baron.  "  I  wifh  to  receive  you  at  my 
caftle  asanintimate  acquaintance,  as  a  friend. 
The  clothes  which  you  now  wear,  and  your 
trading  in  moufe  traps  and  hatchels,  would 
make  this,  if  not  impoffible,  at  lead  too  par- 
ticular ;  for  the  peafants  of  our  country  are, 
from  a  very  unpardonable  prejudice,  ex- 
tremely diftruftful  of,  and  really  churliih  to- 
wards all  foreigners,  and  efpecially  the  Ita- 
lians." 

Wolfgang.  "  That  I  have  experienced 
myfelf ;  for  their  inhofpitable  behaviour  obli- 
ged me  yefterd  ay,  againft  my  will,  to  leek 
my  fortune  here  at  the  ale-houfe." 


B2 


1 8  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Baron.  "  For  the  reafon  already  menti- 
oned, which  is  {lengthened  by  what  you  fay, 
it  is  my  advice  and  requeft  that  you  will  lay 
alide  your  prefent  clothes  and  your  trade, 
unlefs  fome  iecret  vow  exprefsly  forbids  this, 
while  you  continue  with  me,  and  appear  in  a 
more  fuitable  drefs.  I  aflure  you  that  you 
will  attain  the  purpofe  which  perhaps  brings 
3'ou  here,  far  better  than  under  the  character 
you  have  anumed." 

Wolfgang.  "  Noble  Sir,  I  do  not  under- 
fland  you ;  but  it  is  to  me  more  and  more 
certain  that  you  mi  flake  me.  It  is  impoffible 
for  me  to  do  what  you  defire  !  this  purfe  con- 
tains my  whole  ilock  of  money ;  there  are 
feven  florins  in  it,  and  fome  kreutzers :  judge 
yourfelf  whether  that  is  fufficient  for  clothing 
me  genteelly  ;  and  would  I  J* 

Baron.  "  Permit  me  to  put  in  a  word.  I 
know  very  well,  that  you  have  but  little  mo- 
ney with  you,  and  may  not  have  more  ;  and 
for  this  reafon,  I  intreat  you  to  permit  me  to 
provide  every  thing  that  is  neceiTary  for  you." 

JVolfgang.  "  I  permit  I — T  can  no  more 
make  any  anfwer  to  this  than  to  much  that 
has  palled  before.  If  you  will  make  a  poor 
devil  happy  !  if  you  have  really  promiied  to 
receive  a  Granger  with  fatherly  kindnefs,  and 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  19 


if  I  am  to  be  this  fortunate  perfon,  I  muft,  I 
Hiall  acknowledge  it  with  the  greateft  grati- 
tude. I  can  make  no  other  anfwer  to  your 
noble,  generous  propofals." 

Baron.  "  Let  us  embrace !  we  will,  we 
certainly  mall,  become  intimate  friends!  And 
now  hear  what  I  have  to  fay  :  I  had  a  fon ; 
he  was  of  your  age,  of  your  fize,  and  you  re- 
femble  him  very  much  in  countenance.  He 
died  laft  year  at  the  Univerfity,  and  his 
clothes  were  fent  to  me.  My  grief,  for  hav- 
ing loft  an  only  fon  fo  early  in  life,  has  never 
permitted  me  to  open  this  box,  and  I  long 
ago  deftined  the  contents  of  it  to  the  fervice 
of  fome  poor  traveller  :  here  is  the  key  ;  the 
box  Hands  by  the  door,  and  mall  be  brought 
in  directly.  I  will  wait  below  till  you  have 
drefted  yourfelf,  and  then  take  you  in  my  car- 
riage to  my  caftle,  (looks  at  his  watch  J it  is 
almoft  noon,  and  we  have  therefore  no  time 
to  lofe." 

The  Baron  von  Tiefenthal  now  left  the 
room  with  many  compliments,  and  Wolf- 
gang flood  loft  in  aftonilhment ;  he  had  not 
recovered  when  the  bufy  hoilefs  and  her  maid 
came  in,  bringing  with  them  a  large  heavy 
box,  which  they  fat  down  at  his.  feet. 

"  I  lay  a  wager,  noble  Sir,"  faid  the  hoft> 
cfs,  as  the  maid  went  out  of  the  room,  "  thai 


lo  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


you  would  not  fo  long  have  re fu fed  to  accom- 
pany our  noble  Baron  to  the  caftle,  if  you  had 
known  who  you  will  find  there  !" 

Wolfgang.  "  Who  can  I  find  there  whom 
I  know,  or  who  can  interefi:  me  ?" 

Hostess  (hi  a  low  voice.)  M  A  charming, 
beautiful,  moll  lovely,  delicious  creature  our 
noble  Lady  Louifa ;  me  is  now  only  fixteenr 
but  has  the  underftanding  of  a  woman  of 
eighty ;  me  reads  continually,  plays  on  the 
harpfichord — in  fhort,  far  and  near  you  will 
not  find  her  equal.  And  fome  time  or  other 
fhe  will  be  rich,  very  rich  ;  me  is  heirefs  to 
two  eftates,  is — but  here  I  ftand  and  prattle, 
forgetting  that  you  have  to  drefs.  Don't  be 
long,  for  the  noble  Baron  waits  below." 

She  withdrew,  with  a  deep  courtefy,  and 
left  Wolfgang  to  look  into  the  box  at  his 
plcafure ;  it  flood  there  for  fome  time  un- 
locked, but  at  laft  he  opened  it,  and  broke 
out  into  new  wonder  and  tranfports  at  the 
fight  of  the  fplendid  clothes  which  it  contain- 
ed. I  mould  be  too  diffufe  if  I  were  to  de- 
fcribe  all  the  awkward,  comical  procefs  of 
his  dreiiing ;  he  was  more  than  an  hour  about 
it,  but  was  at  lafi  equipped  like  one  cf  the 
firit  beaux.  He  had  on  a  fuit  of  blue  laced 
clo.hes ;  his  long  black  hair,  which  he  ufugi* 


The  Mountain  Cottager,  21 


ly  wore  twifted  in  a  hard  queue,  was  untied, 
and  carelefsly  put  up  with  a  comb,  the  reft 
of  it  fell  in  ringlets  about  his  face,  better  than 
any  hair  drefler  could  have  done  it,  as  it  curl- 
ed naturally;  a  large  hat,  which,  after  the 
cuftom  of  that  time,  was  alfo  laced  and  orna- 
mented with  a  feather,  gave  him  completely 
the  look  of  a  cavalier  ;  at  leaft,  fo  the  hoftefs 
aliened,  who  had  been  for  fome  time  at  the 
door ;  this  was  confirmed  afterwards  by  the 
hoft,  and,  at  laft,  by  the  Baron  von  Tiefen- 
thal  himfelf,  who  embraced  him,  called  him 
his  newly-found,  his  fecond  ion ;  and  con- 
ducting him  to  the  carriage,  drove  away  with 
him  with  the  greatell  delight. 

Wolfgang  permitted  all  this  in  filence  ;  he 
really  believed  himfelf  dreaming,  and  dread- 
ed awakening  too  foon  from  fo  agreeable  an 
illufion.  He  was  continually  examining  his 
fine  clothes,  or  ftroking  down  the  ruffles  of 
his  mirt,  and  felt  the  greateft  impatience,  to 
have  an  opportunity  of  viewing  himfelf  in  a 
looking- glafs.  The  Baron  was  very  talka- 
tive, and  often  entreated  him  quite  to  forget 
his  former  rank.  Wolfgang  anfwered  merely 
in  monofyllables,  and  firft  remarked,  aim  oil 
at  the  end  of  their  ride,  that  he  had  been  ve- 
ry ungrateful  to  the  hoft  and  hoftefs,  and  ne- 
ver thanked  them  for  the  generous  reception 
which  they  had  given  him, 


22  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

o 


tc  If  you  are  fo  confcientious,"  anfwered 
Tiefenthal,  w  you  may  do  this  to-day,  but 
perhaps  you  will  be  able  to  reward  thefe  peo- 
ple in  another  manner."  As  he  ended  this 
fpeech,  they  flopped  at  the  caftle.  A  fervant 
affiled  them  both  out  of  the  carriage ;  and 
Wolfgang  going  up  the  fteps  to  the  houfey 
by  the  fide  of  his  new  ho  ft,  was  carried  by 
him  into  a  room,  where  they  found  his  daugh- 
ter palying  upon  the  harpfi chord.  "  There, 
Lou i fa,"  laid  the  Baron,  "  I  bring  you  a  gueft 
who  has  promifed  to  walk,  and  fmg,  and  read 
pretty  books  with  you,  to  pafs  away  your 
time  when  I  am  hunting." 

After  this  introduction  Wolfgang  made 
fome  awkward  bows,  and  would  have  laid 
fomethingof  the  favor  and  honor  of  being  ac- 
quainted with  her ;  but  he  could  not  arrange 
his  ideas  properly,  and  was  obliged  to  leave 
it  to  her  imagination  to  fill  up  what  he  had 
murmured  in  broken  fentences.  Louifa, 
who  had  been  already  apprized  of  his  arrival, 
paid  her  compliments  to  him,  and  congratu- 
lated herfelf  on  having  the  happintfs  of  be- 
coming acquainted  with  a  man  who  was  fo 
much  of  a  traveller..  "  Italy,"  Ihe  faid,  "  has 
always  been  defcribed  to  me  as  a  Paradife, 
and  I  hope  to  hear  from  you  a  more  particu- 
lar account  of  that  charming  country."  Wolf- 
gang, whom  Nature  had  endowed  with  a 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  23 


good  portion  of  wit  and  underftanding,  now 
iummoned  all  his  powers  in  order  to  make 
fome  reply  to  the  lair  lady.  He  affured  her, 
fomewhat  difFuiely  indeed,  but  yet  with  a 
great  deal  of  naivete,  that  it  was  impoffible 
Italy  Ihould  deferve  to  be  called  a  Paradife, 
becaafe  it  wanted  the  principal  requifite,  a 
fair  Eve  ;  but  that  Germany  juftly  deferved 
that  appellation,  becaufe  he  now  enjoyed  in  it 
the  happinefs  of  paying  his  refpecls  to  the 
faireft  Eve  in  the  world. 

Father  and  daughter  united  in  admiring, 
and  laughing  at  this  fally,  and  Wolfgang  got 
time  to  examine  himfelf  in  a  large  looking 
glafs,  to  which  he  Hood  oppofite.  He  found 
that,  drefled  in  his  fine  clothes,  he  was  really 
handfome,  and  might  very  well  perform  the 
part  of  cavalier :  this  conviction  made  him 
vain,  and  leflened  his  bafhmlnefs ;  he  look- 
ed about  more  unrefervedly,  and  fixed  his 
eyes  full  on  Louiia's ;  fee  was  not  able  to 
bear  this  rather  free  look,  and  call  her's  mo- 
deftly  to  the  ground.  W olfgang  was  a  very 
fine  man,  andLouifaoneof  the  moftdelicate  of 
woman  ;  but  there  was  a  Unking  con.traft  be- 
tween them,  as  will  appear  from  the  follow- 
ing defcriptions. 

Wolfgang  was  in  perfon  tall,  ftrong,  and 
well-made  ;  his  complexion  was  fun-burnt, 


24  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


lie  bad  a  high  colour  in  his  cheeks,  and  large 
black  eyes,  with  altogether  a  handfome  face, 
and  long  fhining  black  hair. 

Louifa  was  rather  little,  her  form  remark- 
ably fine,  if  any  thing  rather  too  {lender,  her 
hair  very  light,  her  complexion  delicately 
fair,  the  colour  in  her  cheeks  pale,  and  her 
eyes  of  the  cleared  blue. 

A  fummons  to  table  put  an  end  to  their 
converfation.  Loaifa  prefented  her  hand  to 
Wolfgang ;  but  he,  inftead  of  accepting  it, 
made  a  filent  bow,  and  went  out  of  the  room 
before  her,  and  fhe  followed,  in  the  full  con- 
viction that  this  muftbe  the  cuftom  in  Italy. 
His  ruftic  behaviour  at  table  was  viewed  by 
her  in  the  fame  light ;  and  informing  her  opi- 
nion of  him,  me  determined  that  when  he 
was  better  acquainted  with  German  manners, 
and  had  acquired  a  little  French  politenefs, 
he  would  be  a  very  agreeable  man,  and  high- 
ly deferving  her  dfteerh. 


CHAP.  III. 

rJTVlE  company  at  table  had  juft  emptied 
their  lad  glafs  of  wine,  in  which  the  Baron 
and  his  daughter  had  once  more  drank  the 


The  Mount  am  Cottager.  25 


health  of  their  new  gueft,  as  the  found  of  a 
poll-horn  drew  them  to  the  window.  A 
carriage  with  four  fine  horfes  drove  up  to  the 

door,  and  the  Countefs  von  M  alighttd 

from  it. 

The  Baron  von  Tiefenthal,  who  never  re- 
membered having  the  honor  of  a  vifit  from  her 
before,  haflened  with  his  daughter  to  meet 
her  excellency.  Wolfgang  remained  in  the 
room,  and  was  thinking,  with  great  anxiety, 
how  long  this  agreeable  dream  would  laft,  as 
the  Baron  returned,  handing  in  the  Countefs. 

All  his  former  confufion  was  now  renew- 
ed, for  he  knew  not  how  he  ought  to  behave 
to  this  lady,  and  yet  fincerely  wifhed  not  to 
put  his  kind  hoft  to  the  blufh  for  him.  Tief- 
enthal had  in  the  meantime  conducted  the 
Countefs  to  the  fofa,  and  turning  to  Wolf- 
gang, laid,  "  Her  Excellency  the  Countefs 

von  M  Then  turning  towards  her, 

and  preferring  him  to  her,  "  This,"  he  faid, 
"  is  a  very  good  friend  of  mine  from  abroad, 
who  will  do  me  the  honor  of  {pending  feme 
time  at  my  cattle."  Wolfgang  bowed  very 
profoundly  to  her,  and  to  his  aftonifhment 
Ihe  continued  ftanding,  and  returned  his  fa- 
lutation  in  the  molt  courteous  manner. 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Countess.  H  I  efleem  it  a  particular  honor, 
Sir,  to  become  acquainted  with  you  ;  may  I 
take  the  liberty  ofafking  your  name  r" 

Wolfgang.  "  I — lam  called  properly — " 

Baron  (interrupting  him.)  "  Your  Excel- 
lency fees  the  confufion  of  my  friend.  Cer- 
tain circumftances  prevent  his  making  his 
name  known  in  this  country  ;  he  is  come  in- 
cognito, and  means  to  continue  fo  during  his 
Hay  here;  but  I  have  the  honor  of  affuring  your 
Excellency,  that  my  friend  is  defcended  from 
a  very  old  and  refpedtable  family,  and  that  it 
is  neither  from  guilt,  nor  misfortune,  that  he 
is  induced  to  conceal  his  name. 

Countess.  "  That  I  mould  have  believed, 
Baron,  without  your  aifu ranee.  My  dear 
unknown,  you  muft  pardon  me  for  calling 
you  thus,  come  and  fit  by  me !  Oh  nearer, 
nearer  than  that !  do  you  take  the  German 
women  for  prudes;  or,  what  would  be  cer- 
tainly a  great  compliment  to  us,  as  too  dan- 
gerous to  approach. 

Vvrolfgang  made  no  anfwer  to  this,  but 
drew  his  chair  nearer  to  the  Countefs. 

'Countess.  "  You  cannot  imagine  how 
much  I  eiieem  travelled,  and  confequently 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  27 


learned  men  ;  how  much  I  enjoy  their  con- 
verfation,  and  the  account  of  their  adven- 
tures.   Do  you  come  directly  from  Italy? 


Baron.  "  I  beg  your  Excellency's  par- 
don  !  My  friend  does  not  come  out  of  Italy, 
he  never  was  there  ;  he  is  no  Italian." 

Wolfgang  was  quite  loft  in  aftonilhment 
at  thefe  affertions  ;  he  could  not  in  the  leaft 
comprehend  why  his  hoft  mould  tell  the 
Countefs  fuch  direct  falfities. 

Countess  (much  surprised.)  M  No  Italian! 
never  been  in  Italy  !  I  could  have  fvvorn, 
would  have  wagered  my  little  face,  all  my 
moderate  fhare  of  underftanding,  that  your 
unknown  friend  was  an  Italian.  His  Roman 
nofe,  his  black  eyes,  and  black  hair,  feem 
to  prove  it  clearly  ;  but  one  may  be  miilaken, 
and  one  may  be  alfo,  from  private  reafons, 
purpofely  milled.  What  fay  you  to  that, 
Baron 

Baron  (confused).  "  I  can  only  repeat 
what  I  have  already  faid. — Will  your  Excel- 
lency drink  a  difh  of  coffee  ?  Lou i fa,  ring 
the  bell,  and  let  us  have  coffee  directly.' ' 


1 


23  fffte  Mountain  Cottage?  . 


The  converfation  now  took  another  turn  : 
the  Countefs  protefted  againit  having  coffee  ; 
the  Baron  perfifted  in  having  it,  and  it  was 
brought.  They  talked  of  the  weather,  of 
husbandry,  of  Hate  affairs,  and  whenever  the 
Countefs  addrefTed  any  queflion  to  the  Gran- 
ger, Tiefenthal  conftantly  interrupted  it  by 
feme  other  quefdon,  fo  that  Wolfgang,  to  his 
great  fatisfacVion,  played  the  part  of  a  mere 
fpeclator,  and  only  now  and  then  exprefied 
his  applaufe,  or  furprife,byhislocks.  Afterma- 
ny  very  vifible,  but  ineffectual  experiments 
to  become  better  acquainted  with  him,  the 
Countefs  at  laft  rofe  from  her  feat.  The  Ba- 
ron indeed  begged  to  enjoy  the  honor  of  her 
company  longer,  but  this  fee  did  not  comply 
with,  as  the  fun  was  then  very  far  gone  down, 
and  me  wifhed  to  return  before  it  was  fet* 
She  took  leave,  with  many  compliments,  and 
regretted  extremely  that  ihe  had  not  become 
more  fociable  with  the  foreign  gentleman. 
14  You  have  really,"  Ihe  faid  to  Wolfgang, 
41  fcarcely  fpoken  a  word  to  me  the  whole 
time  that  I  have  been  here.  You  know  very 
Well  that  I  may  with  jultice  take  it  ill  of  you." 

Wolfgang,    "  Your  Excellency,  pardon 


Countess  (laughing.)  "  That  I  am  filent 
again  already  !  Well  well,  I  forgive  you  wil- 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Wolfgang.  "  Such  a  defign  I  mould  cer- 
tainly never  have  guefted  ;  but  I  guefs  your 
Excellency's  perfectly.  You  joke  with  me, 
you  would  make  fport  of  me,  and  however 
this  jeft  vexes  me  in  refpect  of  my  benefac- 
tor, I  mu ft  be  content  with  it.  But  I  beg 
your  Excellency  to  confider,  that  the  Baron 
von  Tiefenthal  knows  me ;  that  he  knows, 
as  well  as  you  do,  that  I  am  a  poor  Savoyard  ; 
that  I  did  not  conceal  my  fituation  from  him, 
but  have  earneftly  warned  him  from  every 
miflake  ;  and  he  has  aiTured  me  that  it  is 
merely  on  account  of  a  vow  he  has  made  to 
make  a  poor  foreigner  happy,  that  he  enter- 
tains me  fo  generoufly." 

Countess.  "  Oh  the  generous  man  I  But 
that  you  mould  be  caught  in  fuch  a  trap  I  re- 
ally could  not  have  believed.  Yet  you  be- 
lieve, and  fay  what  you  will,  what  appears 

neceflary  to  you.  Pardon,  my  dear  Sig- 

nor,  my  interfering  in  matters  which  do  not 
concern  me.  I  promile  you  not  to  fpeak 
another  word  on  the  iiibject.  I  only  entreat 
you  to  permit  me,  when  I  one  day  pay  my 
congratulatory  vifit  on  the  happy  marriage, 
to  remind  you  of  this,  and  that  I  may  at  the 
fame  time  call  on  you  to  witnefs,  that  we 
Germans  fometimes  know  more  than  we 
appear  to  know*" 


34  The  Mountain  Cottager, 

Wolfgang.  "  I  do  not  in  the  leaft  tinder- 
ftand  your  excellency.  This  mult  be  the 
cleared  proof  to  you  that  you  deceive  your- 
felf  in  your  opinion.  Every  thing  which 
has  happened  to  me  fince  yefierday  is  to  me 
a  perfect  riddle." 

Countess.  "  I  believe  it  with  all  my  heart." 

Wolfgang.  "  Sometimes  I  am  certain 
that  there  exifts  a  mi  flake  re  1  peeling  my  per- 
fon  :  and  then  again  I  cannot  comprehend 
how  fuch  a  miilake  can  fubfift,  as  I  have 
xlone  all  in  my  power  to  prove  that  I  am  the 
perfon  I  give  myfelf  out  to  be." 

Countess.  "  That  I  mufl  bear  witnefs  to  ! 
You  have  already  repeated  it  to  me  fo-  often., 
that  it  would  be  folly,  or  rather  ill-breeding, 
to  doubt  it." 

Wolfgang.  "  Will  your  Excellency  per- 
mit me  to  aik  one  queiiion  ?  Forgive  the  li- 
berty which  I  fhall  take  in  it,  but  circunv 
flances  urge  me  to  it." 

Countess.  "  My  dear  Signor,  aik  me  what 
you  will,  you  mail  find  me  ready  to  anfwer 
you  fincerely  in  every  thing." 

Wolfgang.  "  Are  you  not  alfo  miftaken 
in  my  perfon  ?  Do  you  really  take  me  for 


The  Mountain  Cottager, 


2$ 


what  I  am,  for  a  poor  Savoyard  who  has  no 
fortune,  nothing  which  he  can  call  his 
own  ?" 

Countess.  "  I — I  certainly  confider  you 
as  fach,  and  believe  it  firmly." 

Wolfgang.  "  And  yet  ride  with  me  in  a 
-carriage  I" 

Countess.  Ride  with  you  in  a  carriage  !" 

Wolfgang.  u  Treat  me  as  one  of  your 
equals !" 

Countess.  "  I  not  only  treat  you  fo,  but  I 
fhall  efteem  it  the  greateft  honour  if  you 
think  me  your  equal." 

Wolfgang.  M  Comprehend  it  who  can,  I 
am  not  able  !  I  have  often  heard  wonderful 
hiltories  of  the  peculiar  good  fortune  of  fome 
men  ;  but  fuch  luck,  fuch  honour  has  never 
happened  to  any  one  before.  Yefterday  I 
worked  for  my  bread,  and  to-day  ride  in  a 
carriage  with  four  horfes,  with  an  illuftrious 
lady,  and  hear,  from  the  mouth  of  the  fame 
lady,  that  (he  will  reckon  it  an  honor  if  I  con- 
sider her  as  my  equal.  Pardon  me,  your  Ex- 
cellency, I  am  a  fimple  man  ;  I  do  not  under- 
hand making  compliments,  but  I  feel  this 


36  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


honour,  this  happinefs  very  ftrongly.  I  am 
fo  moved,  fo — fo — I  mould  not  be  able  to 
reftrain  my  tears,  if  I  had  not  once  heard 
that  illuftrious  ladies  think  tears  a  difgrace." 

Countess.  "  Heaven  preferve  us  from 
fuch  an  opinion :  The  fenfibility  of  a  man 
is  always  affe&ing  to  us,  and  if  he  only  ap- 
pears to  weep,  our  tears  flow  directly.  I  give 
you  the  cleareft  proof  of  this  myfelf,  (she 

ivipes  the  tears  from  her  eyes)  But,  my 

dear  Signer,  we  forget  the  purpofe  of  our 
ride  !  We  are  to  enjoy  the  fine  evening  to- 
gether, and  we  fhall  hardly  do  that  fhut  up 
in  the  carriage.  Let  us  walk  through  the 
avenue ;  the  coach  may  go  on  before  us." 


CHAP.  IV. 

j/\^S  Wolfgang  and  the  Countefs  got  out  of 
the  carriage,  (he  prefented  her  hand  to  him, 
and  he,  by  this  time,  underftood  that  he 
ought  to  accept  a  hand  ib  offered.  They 
went  arm  in  arm,  through  the  dark  avenue, 
and  the  Countefs  difplayed  all  her  legibility 
in  admiring  the  beauties  of  nature,  on  which 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  37 


Wolfgang  let  her  expatiate  without  inter- 
ruption, tor  he  was  occupied  with  feelings  of 
a  different  kind.  His  companion's  arm  lay 
negligently  in  his,  and  the  novelty  of  this 
fituation  to  him,  excited  emotions  which  he 
had  never  felt  before.  He  now  fir  ft  faw,  as 
his  eyes  wandered  infenfibly  towards  her, 
that  the  Countefs  was  a  young  and  beautiful 
woman.  Her  large  eyes,  her  full  cheeks,  and 
fine  perfon,  pleafed  him  extremely,  and  fully 
employed  his  imagination.  Might  I,  thought 
he,  but  once  call  fuch  a  woman  mine,  fuch 
a  woman  mull  be  heaven  upon  earth  !  I 
would  willingly  part  with  my  laced  coat  again, 
willingly  work  for  my  bread  thefe  fix  years, 
if  I  might  but  one  day  have  fuch  a  woman  ; 

willingly  But  it  would  be  tirefome,  if  L 

were  to  relate  all  the  projects  which  came 
into  his  head.  Thofe,  who  have  been  in  fi- 
milar  circumftances,  will  be  very  well  able 
to  fill  up  the  chafm  which  I  leave  here  ;  and 
thofe,  who  have  never  felt  any  thing  of  the 
kind,  will  thank  me  for  dropping  the  lubjecT. 

Seldom,  very  feldom,  and  that  only  in 
phlegmatic  mortals,  is  love  accuftomed  to 
come  on  ftowly,  ftep  by  ftep  :  it  comes  on,  if 
I  may  fo  exprefs  myfclf,  in  full  gallop,  fur- 
prifes  the  fecure  unawares,  and  geneidlly 
wounds  him  mortally.  Like  the  water-fpout 
no  rain,  not  even  a  fingle  drop  of  moifturb 
D 


Tbc  Mountain  Cottager. 


previoufly  falling,  announces  its  approach; 
the  cloud  burfts  fuddenly,  and  the  unprepar- 
ed traveller,  finds  himfclf  up  to  the  neck  in 
•Water,  and  carried  forward  by  the  potent 
flream,  before  he  knows  whence  the  power 
came  which  hurries  him  irrefiftibly  down  in- 
to the  valley.  Any  body  is  welcome  to  laugh 
at  this  fimile ;  it  appears  laughable  even  to 
me,  and,  neverthelefs,  I  ihall  let  it  remain  ; 
becaufe  a  water-fpout  and  impetuous  love 
have  often  very  iimilar  effects,  both  being 
deftrudtive,  but  palling  away  again  rapidly. 
The  black  cloud  promifes  refreshment  to  the 
thirfty  land,  and  always  lays  it  defolate.  The 
lover  hopes  to  enjoy  the  moll  perfect  felicity 
in  the  arms  of  his  beloved,  and  finks  under 
the  too  abundant  poifelTion  of  the  happinefs 
for  which  he  fighed. 

But  to  return  to  Wolfgang,  whom  my 
readers  left,  like  the  unfufpecling  traveller 
up  to  the  neck  in  water,  or  to  lay  afide  my 
fimile,  falling  defperately  in  love.  The 
Countefs,  at  laft,  quite  tired  of  talking  with- 
out having  any  anfwer — for  it  is  very  hard 
to  find  onefelf  not  attended  to — was  iilent  for 
fome  time,  and  then  afked  him,  rather  with  a 
tone  of  reproof,  why  he  fpoke  fo  little,  and 
paid  no  attention  to  what  fhe  laid?  Wolf- 
gang took  no  more  notice  of  this  queflion, 
•than  he  had  done  of  what  had  palled  before, 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  39 


He  looked  towards  heaven,  and  offered  up  a 
filent  prayer  that  he  might  one  day  be  bleffed 
with  the  object  of  his  willies,  forgetting  that 
flie  was  now  by  his  fide.  His  perfevering 
file  nee  made  the  Countefs  obferve  him  atten- 
tively, and,  not  unacquainted  with  love  and 
itsfymptoms,  fhe  foon  decided  that  he  was 
under  the  influence  of  that  paflion  ;  and  con- 
jectured that  his  imagination  now  carried 
him  back  to  the  beloved  of  his  heart,  with 
whom  he  was  perhaps  wifhing  to  enjoy  this 
glorious  evening.  As  nothing  is  more  tor- 
menting than  a  curiofity  to  learn  the  truth  of 
>  fuch  an  idea,  fhe  refolved  to  gratify  it ;  and 
her  fpeaking  only  being  of  no  effect  flie  took 
more  forcible  means  of  noufing  him.  u  Sig- 
ner/' llie  cried,  and  (hook  him  by  the  arm, 
**  where  are  you  ?  What  is  come  to  you 

Wolfgang  fas  if  awakened  from  a  deefj 
sleep.  J  "  I— I,  f rubbing  bis  forehead 'J  what 
has  happened  to  me  ?" 

Countess.  "  That  I  know  not ;  and  am 
extremely  defirous  of  learning.  You  have 
walked  by  me  a  quarter  of  an  hour  without 
fpeaking  a  word  ;  looked  to  heaven  as  if  you 
were  in  an  ecftacy,  and  appeared  to  forget 
the  whole  world." 

Wolfgang.  <:  I — I  know  not,  I  was  rs- 
allv  muiing," 


40  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

Countess.  ( laughing.)  "  Yes,  yes,  that  you: 
certainly  were;  and  (kail  I  interpret  this  muf- 
ing  ?  Shall  I  tell  you  what  it  was  about  ?" 

Vifgang.  41  That  yourExcellency  can- 
not do,  that  you  fliall  never  guefs." 

Counter.  u  No,  we  will  fee  :  This  walk 
reminds  you  of  a  ftmilar  one,  which  you  took 
ence  in  your  own  country.  You  were  then 
with  the  object  of  your  afFe£tions:  then  found, 
perhaps  for  the  firfl  time,  an  opportunity 
hefitatingly  to  avow  your  love,  and  were 
favourably  heard.  The  remembrance  of 
thofe  happy  moments  engage  your  imagina- 
tion fo  much,  that  you  forget  yourfelf  and 
every  thing  elfe. — Welt,  do  you  take  me 
now  for  a  prophetefs  ?  Shall  you,  in  future, 
place  more  confidence  in  my  penetration ?" 

Wolfgang  fighs  deeply. 

Countess.  "  If  you  confirm  it  with  fuch 
deep  fighs,  you  will  make  me  proud  of  my 
art.  I  have  a  great  inclination  to  afk  the 
name  of  this  envied  fair  one,  if  it  will  not 
Betray  too  much  curiofity  in  me ;  and  I  have 

hopes  of  your  gratifying  it.  No,  if  you 

are  fo  inflexibly  fdent,  and  will  not  give  me, 
even  by  a  yes  or  no,  encouragement  for  far* 
tfeer  converfation,  then  I  muft  and  mall  re- 


The  Mountain  Cottager,  41 

mind  you  that  I  am  a  woman,  and  as  women 
have  a  general  claim  to  a  man's  attention, 
confequently  I  ought  not  to  be  thus  flighted." 

Wolfgang,  "  How  willingly  would  I, 
your  Excellency  

Before  Wolfgang  could  fpeak  another 
word,  he  felt  fomebody  from  behind  pulling 
him  ;  he  looked  round,  and  a  man,  wrapped 
in  a  great  coat*  flood  clofe  by  him.  "  Sir> 
he  fakl,  "  one  expects  you  with  the  moll  anx- 
ious impatience." 

Wolfgang,    "  Me,  who  ?* 

Countess.  u  Alas  !  undoubtedly  a  meiien- 
ger  from  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal.  It  is 
certainly  very  uncivil  of  me  to  rob  him  fo 
long  of  his  new  gueft  ;  bat  really,  on  his  fide, 
it  is  not  polite  to  take  him  away  from  me  m 
this  manner.  But  I  mull  give  way  to  the  Ba- 
ron's older  and  more  important  claims.  I 
willingly  let  you  go  therefore  ;  yet  with  one 
condition  which  you  mull  promife  folemnly 
to  keep.    Will  you  do  this  ?" 

Wolfgang.    16  Your  Excellency  has  only 
to  command  with  me.    Whatever  is  in  my  , 
power,  my  abilities — — ,? 

D  a 


42  The  Mountain  Cottager* 


Countess.  M  Oh  you  are  too  complaifantv 
I  do  not  afk  fo  much  ;  I  afk  nothing  that 
fhall  cod  you  power  or  abilities.  To-mor- 
row at  dinner  you  muft  be  my  gueft,  and  I 
merely  defire  it  before  you  take  leave,  your 
promife  that  you  will  be  fo. 

Wolfgang.    "  I  fhall  certainly  come.'* 

Countess.  "  Give  me  your  hand  in  aflu- 
t ance  of  it  ( pressbig  it  softly.)  I  expect  you 
then  for  certain  f  with  a  friendly  look  ;  J  and 
iliall  really  take  it  for  an  affront  and  negledt 
if  you  do  not  come." 

The  man  in  the  great  coat.  "  Sir,  every 
minute  is  reckoned." 

Counters.  "  Very  punctual !  but  no  mat- 
ter !  we  fhall  meet  to-morrow.  Till  then, 
Signor,  good  night,  We  will  renew  our  con- 
verfation  when  I  fee  you,  for  you  have  not 
yet  fatisfied  my  curiofity.  Farewel." 

The  Countefs  departed,  with  a  very 
friendly  glance  at  Wolfgang,  and  after  fhe 
had  gone  fome  fleps,  turned  and  nodded  to 
him  once  more,  a  kind  adieu  ;  as  he,  quite 
tranfported,  followed  her  with  his  eyes. 

He  would  probably  have  flared  after  her 
as  long  as  flie  was  in  fight,  if  his  new  compa* 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  45 


nion  had  not  again  admonilhed  him  tohaften 
his  departure.    Sir,  he  faid,  it  is  full  time, 

You  mull  follow  me,  1  am  ready,  faid 

Wolfgang,  fomewhat  peevifhly  :  and  his  con- 
ductor went  on  direcily  without  laying  ano- 
ther word. 


CHAP.  V, 


Jn  the  certain  conviction  that  this  was  a 
meflenger  from  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal, 
fent  to  bring  him  back  to  his  caftle,  Wolf- 
gang followed  him,  and  without  obferving 
the  way  which  they  went,  gave  himfelf  up  to 
his  own  thoughts.  Thefe,  as  is  natural  to 
fuppofe,  dwelt  entirely  on  the  beautiful 
Countefs.  She  had  made  fo  forcible  an  im- 
prelhon  on  his  heart,  it  was  fo  full  of  her 
charms,  that  he  beheld  nothing  but  her 
image.  He  was  even  thinking  ferioully,  for 
impetuous  love  is  very  bold,  how  he  might 
declare  his  paffion  the  next  day  ;  as  his  con- 
duclor,  by  faying, 44  Here  we  are  ;  pleafe  to 
walk  in,"  awakened  him  from  his  agreeable 
dream.  To  his  utter  aftonilhment  he  now 
firlt  faw  that  they  were  arrived  at  a  poor 
pottage,  the  door  of  which  the  man  in  th^ 


44 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


great  coat  opened,  and  again  defired  him  to 
go  in.  Already  too  far  advanced  to  return, 
and  ftill  believing  that  he  might  perhaps 
'find  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal  waiting  for 
him  here,  he  ftepped  into  the  room.  It  had 
been  growing  dulk  for  fome  time,  and  the 
one  little  window  of  this  place  being  very- 
dirty,  both  together  occasioned  an  aim  oil 
Egyptian  carknefs.  No  wonder  therefore 
that  Wolfgang,  as  he  went  in,  favv  no  one, 
and  was  greatly  furprifed  on  hearing  the  fol- 
lowing difcourfe , — 

A  voice  in  a  deep  rough  bass  tone.  "Do 
you  bring  him  at  laft,  James  .?  Do  you  bring 
him  ?" 

Wolfgang^  s  conductor.  u  Yes,  I  have  ful- 
filled my  promife  ;  I  have  brought  him  !" 

A  languishing  F  ia/e  Voice.  "Did  he 
follow  you  willingly 

•  James.  "  I  cannot  fay  that,  but  I  did 
not  ftir  from  his  fide,  and  would  not  have 
done  it  on  any  account. n 

The  bass  voice.  6i  Where  did  you  find 
him  ?' 

James.    "  Where  elfe  fkould- 1  find  him 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  45 


but  w  ith  the  Countefs,  with  whom  he  was 
walking  arm  in  arm." 

The  Female  Voice,  in  a  disconsolate  tone. 
"  Ah  wretched,  wretched  me  !" 

The  bass  voice.  "  Weep  not,  Clara,  weep 
not,  there  mull,  there  fhall  be  fomething 
clone  now,  either — or,  fo  I  have  refolved, 
and  fo  it  fhall  be,  James,  light  a  candle.  Sir, 
fit  down ." 

Wolfgang  flood  there  in  amazement,  and 
what  had  juft  paffed  did  not  tend  at  all  to 
leflen  it.  He  heard  the  order  for  a  light 
with  great  pleafure  ;  as  the  entrance  of  this, 
he  reafonably  expected,  would  produce  the 
quickeft  and  beft  explanation  of  their  pro- 
bable miftake.  James  came  in  at  lad  with 
the  fo  much  wifhed  for  caudle,  which  af- 
forded indeed  only  a  fcafljgy,  but  yet  fufficient 
light  for  the  difplay  of  tue  bare  black  walls 
of  this  room,  and  a  tall  haggard-looking 
man,  who  fat  upon  a  decayed  bench  in  one 
corner  of  it,  refling  his  arm  upon  a  dill 
more  decayed  table,  an:!  looking  earneflly  at 
Wolfgang.  His  white  hair  teftified  his 
being  old,  and  his  clothes,  which  betrayed 
indigence,  that  he  had  been  a  foldier,  as  there 
might  yet  be  difcriminated  upon  them  the- 
facing  of  an  uniform. 


46  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Wolfgang  kept  his  eyes  fixed  on  this  old 
man,  impatiently  expecting  that  he  would 
now  perceive  his  error,  acknowledge  it,  and 
beg  his  pardon.  To  his  aftonifhment,  he 
at  laftarofe  from  his  feat,  and  feized  two  pif- 
tcis  which  were  lying  by  him  upon  the 
table,  and  which  Wolfgang  now  firlt  few. 
He  put  them,  with  great  coolnel's,  under  his 
arm,  took  the  light  with  the  other  hand,, 
and  going  up  to  Wolfgang,  "  Sir,  he  faid, 
u  we  have  never  feen  each  other  before  ;  and 
woe  to  me,  woe  to  you,  that  we  are  obliged 
to  fee  one  another  now,  follow  me."  They 
went  together  to  the  fide  of  a  miferable  ft  raw 
bed,  upon  which  lay  a  woman,  whofe  face 
wore  the  pallid  hue  of  death  ;  her  eyes  were 
clofed,  and-her  whole  appearance  was  that  of 
extreme  illnefs. 

The  Old  Man  (holding  the  tight  near  her.  J 
*4  Villain  !  there,  you  fee  your  work  !  Clara, 
dear  Clara,  awake,  he  is  here,  darling  Clara, 
do  you  not  hear  me  ?" 

James.  "  How  mould  me  hear  you  ?  At 
fight  of  this  wretch  ihe  has  fainted  again. 
Was  it  but  the  calm  of  death,  her  for  rows 
would  be  ended  !" 

Old  Man.  "  Villain,  infamous^  detefta- 
ble  villain,  feducer  of  my  dear  good  child, 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  47 


all,  all  your  work,  Oh  we  have  a  long,  a 
dreadful  reckoning  to  fettle  :  You  have  de- 
prived me  of  health,  happinefs,  honour,  and 
the  peace  of  my  old  age,  How  will,  how  can 
you  repay  all  this  ?" 

Wolfgang.    "  Sir,—" 

Old  Man.    «  Silence." 

Wolfgang.  "  Permit  me  only — you  mif- 
take." 

Old  Man.  "  Silence  I  fay  ;  the  turn  for 
you  to  fpeak  will  come  ;  but,  till  I  have  con- 
cluded what  I  have  to  fay,  you  mult  not  in- 
terrupt me,  left  my  old  weak  head  begin  to 
ferment,  and  I  forget  that  I  would  fir  11  be 
the  father,  and  only,  if  driven  to  the  terrible 
neceflity,  the  avenger.  I  am  the  aggrieved, 
the  deeply  injured.  I  am  the  acculer,  you 
the  accufed.  Let  me  end  my  complaint, 
and  then  you  can  fpeak.  She  (pointing  to 
the  woman  J  fhall  be  the  judge  between  you 
and  me.  If  fhe  would  have  compaflion 
fhewn  you,  it  fhall  be  fo  ;  if  fhe  requires 
vengeance,  then,  villain,  I  fhall  require  it 
alfo ;  and  if  there  be  a  God  in  heaven,  the 
protedlor  of  innocence,  it  will  be  poured  on 
you  in  full  meafure  running  over.  Review 


The  Mountain  Cottager, 


your  own  conduct,  and  if  your  mifdeeds  ad- 
mit of  noexcufe,  if  you  have  nothing  to  urge 
in  your  defence  againft  my  complaints,  then 
acknowledge  your  crimes  to  your  judge,  and 
throw  yourfelf  on  her  mercy.  Oh  !  me  is  a 
tender,  a  companionate  judge.!  companionate 
as  heaven  itfelf,  whofe  very  image  me  once 
was !" 

Wolfgang.  "Dear,  good  Sir!  let  me 
Only — " 

Old  Man.  "  Silence,  wretch  !  I  perceive 
jrou  will  irritate  me  to  violence,  will  make 
me  an  afliififl  in  my  old  age  !  But,  mark  me ; 
if  you  are  not  filent,  if  you  interrupt  me 
again,  one  of  thefe  piftols  fhall  lay  you  dead 
at  my  feet  .;  and,  in  the  prefence  of  the  eter- 
nal upright  Judge  on  high,  you  fhall  receive 
your  fentence  !  Woe,  woe  to  thee  !  it  would 
found  horribly  ! — Now  hear  my  complaint, 
dear  Father  in  Heaven  !  ( he  takes  off  his  hat 
lays  the  pistol  vj  it  bin  it,  and  clasps  his  hands 
together  J  hearken  to  it,  and,  if  the  obdurate 
wretch  fhall  refufe  to  render  fatisfaclion, 
write  it  in  thy  univerfal  regifter !  But  if  he 
fink  repentant  at  her  feet,  and  promife  to 
atone  for  his  offences,  let  it  be  blotted  out — 
let  the  numberlefs  tears  flied  by  this  unhap- 
py creature  efface  it  for  ever  ? 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  49 


"  I  am  now  fixty-eight  years  old  ;  from  my 
carlieit  youth  I  have  ftruggled  with  forrow, 
poverty,  and  mifery  of  various  kinds.  Five 
and  forty  years  I  have  ierved  my  prince  with 
inviolable  fidelity  ;  I  have  fought  valiantly  in 
fupport  of  his  rights  ;  been  five  times  wound- 
ed, and  am  now,  in  my  old  age,  difmifled 
without  reward  as  a  cripple,  and  am  even 
deftitute  of  a  maintenance  ! — Dear  God 
and  Father  in  heaven,  thou  art  an  all- wife 
Being!  thou  knoweft  the  moll:  fecret  thoughts 
of  men  !  before  thy  all  feeing  eyes,  I  now 
Hand  in  the   undilguifed  fimplicity  of  my 
heart,  and  alk  thee  if  I  have  ever  murmured 
at  thefe  things  ?  have  ever  once  complained 
of  this  injuftice  ?  have  ever  repented  fhed- 
ding  my  blood  in  the  fervice  of  my  country? 
Oh  be  thou  a  fevere  Judge  over  me,  if  I  do 
not  fpeak  the  truth  !  If  I  have  uttered  a  falfe- 
hood,  annihilate  me,  rob  me  of  the  only 
hopes  which  have  confoled  me  in  all  my  mi- 
fery, that  thou  wilt  reward  me  hereafter  for 
all  that  I  have  fuffered  here. 

u  The  joys  of  life  have  been  meafured  to 
me  with  a  penurious  hand.  Three  times  on- 
ly, during  the  long  courfe  of  my  exiftence, 
have  I  enjoyed  perfecl  happinefs  ;  once  when 
my  excellent,  my  charming,  my  beloved 
wife  united  her  hand  to  mine,  when  {he  vow- 
ed to  be  mine  for  ever,  and  couraseoufly  to 

E 


3*o  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


to  fhare  with  nie  whatever  afflictions  thou 
mighteft  fend  for  our  trial  ;  again,  when  this 
fon  was  born  to  me  ; — and,  for  the  lall  time, 
when  this  daughter  came  into  the  world.  But 
that  joy  was  of  fhort  duration ;  for  her  life 
was  her  mother's  death  ;  her  birth  robbed  me 
of  my  fupport,  my  joy,  my  all  ! 

"  Lord  !  Father  of  all  men  ;  Searcher  of 
all  hearts  ;  thou  knowelt  the  agony  of  my 
foul,  the  weight  of  forrow  with  which  I  was 
opprefied,  as  I  approached  her  corpfe,  and, 
for  the  lall  time,  clafped  her  clay~cold  hand, 
and  bade  her  farewel  for  ever  ;  Oh  the  feeling 
of  that  moment;  it  was  like  the  laft  gafp  of 
fuffocation ;  But  I  recovered  my  fortitude, 
repreiTed  the  tears  which  were  beginning  to 
flow,  and  feizingmy  children,  folded  them  to 
my  breaft,  and  cried,  1  You  fhali  one  day 
repair  to  me  what  I  have  loll,  and  thou  Fa- 
ther in  Heaven,  wilt  reward  to  the  deceafed 
athoufand  fold,  her  love  and  fidelity  !' 

"  Eternal  God!  I  now  prefent  my  felf  again 
before  thy  judgment  feat,  with  thefe  two 
children,  the  only  treafure  which  thou  ever 
gaveft  me,  and  afk  thee  if  I  have  not  fulfilled 
my  paternal  duty  with  the  ltric~teft  integrity? 
If  i  have  not  done  every  thing  for  them  that 
lay  in  my  power  ?  If  I  have  not  often  eaten 
the  coarfelt  bread  myfelf,  that  I  might  be  able 
to  buy  the  belt  for  my  poor  little  ones  ?  If  I 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Si 


have  not  as  they  grew  older,  often  pinch- 
ed myfelf  to  pay  a  mailer  for  them,  who 
;would  inftruct  them  in  thy  religion,  and 
in  various  kinds  of  knowledge  ?  If  I — 
but  I  will  not  reckon  the  performance  of 
my  duty  any  merit,  for  it  coit  me  little,  as 
I  found  my  greateft  pltafure  in  chertfhing 
thefe  young  plants.  I  feek  merely  to  prove 
that  1  performed  my  duty  faithfully,  and 
therefore  had  reafon  to  hope  for  reward^  not 
punimment.  And  yet,  omnipotent,  righte- 
ous God !  yet  is  the  latter  in  full,  in  over-full 
meafure,  fallen  on  me  ! 

"  This  maiden,  whom  I  here  prefent  be- 
fore your  judgment  feat,  wretched  and 
ft  niggling  with  death  as  me  now  is,  once 
bloomed  like  a  rofe,  and  was  not  lefs  inno- 
cent and  pure  !  She  was  the  comfort  of  my 
old  age,  and  mould  have-been  alfo  its  fup- 
port.  When  I  engaged  to  inftrucl  my  fon 
in  his  duty  towards  his  Sovereign  and  his 
country,  when  I  went  with  him  againll  the 
enemy,  then  I  recommended  her  to  thy  Al- 
mighty protection.  Without  thy  will,  thou 
fayit  thyfelf  in  thy  Divine  revelation,  not  a 
fparrow  falleth  to  the  ground-  On  this  pro- 
mife  I  relied,  and  went  quite  eafy  into  the 
field,  to  prefent  my  old  body  to  the  balls  of  the 
adverfary.  In  the  mean  time  came  this  vil- 
lain, ( pointing  10  Wolfgang)  who  feigned  love 


52  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


to  this  inexperienced  creature,  and  won  her 
innocent  heart ;  polluted  her  pure  foul  with 
voluptuous  ideas,  painted  to  her  imagination 
the  moft  charming  reprefentations  of  the  fu- 
ture, and  beguiled  her  of  her  honour  and  peace 
of  mind. 

"  When  the  poor  fallen  one  perceived 
the  confequences  of  her  folly,  and  mourn, 
ed  it  with  the  bittereft  tears  and  lamen- 
tations, the  feducer  fvvore  to  be  a  father 
to  her  child,  and  left  her,  as  he  fard,  only  to 
obtain  his  father's  confent  to  their  union, 
and  then  return  lo  her  arms.  Daily  fhe 
expected  his  arrival,  but  daily  expected 
it  in  vain.  A  letter,  fent  without  her  know- 
ledge, acquainted  me  with  her  forrows,  and 
I  ffeW  to  confole  her.  The  pain  which  I  felt 
at  the  firft  fight  of  her,  I  will  not  defcribe, 
Oh  God  !  thou  waft  witnefs  of  my  fufterings, 
thou  heardft,  for  the  firft  time,  my  com- 
plaints ;  The  lovely  rofe  was  faded,  her 
happinefs  annihilated,  all  my  hopes  trodden 
in  the  duft,  all  my  proipedls  darkened  !  Lord, 
in  thy  prefence  I  Iwore  to  demand  revenge, 
to  take  revenge  on  the  villain  who  had  fo 
lhamefully  abandoned  her,  and  who,  perhaps  , 
in  fome  diftant  place,  makes  a  jeft  of  her's, 
and  her  afflicted  father's  forrows.  My  heart 
was  hardened,  but  her  tears  foftened  it;  and> 
at  her  irrefutable  entreaties  I  promifed  to  for- 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


53 


give  the  wretch  if  he  would  mary  her,  whom 
he  had  forfaken,  and  become  the  acknowledg- 
ed father  of  her  child. 

"  With  her  I  have  followed  his  footfteps 
till  we  came  to  this  cottage,  and  here  Ihe 
has  given  birth  to  a  child  who  has  no  father. 
Nurtured  with  mifery,  with  tears  in  its  mo- 
ther's womb,  it  died  in  the  hour  of  its  birth, 
and  went  out  of  the  world  a  baftard  !  f he 
throws  aside  the  covering  of  the  bed,  and 
points  to  a  dead  child  lying  by  the  side  of  its 
senseless  mother.)  Look  there,  vidian  i  it  is 
your  child  !  ycu  are  its  father  and  its  mur- 
derer. Its  fpotlefs  foul  now  Hands  as  your  ac- 
cufer  before  the  judgment-Hat  of  God.  This 
innocent  creature,  alfo  facrificecl  by  ycu,  who 
is,  perhaps,  even  now,  releafed  by  death  from 
her  calamities,  was  my  child,  my  daughter  ! 
Oh  my  heart  breaks,  I  can  no  longer  fup- 
port  my  mifery  !  Forgive  me,  Almighty  Fa- 
ther, I  muft  complain,  Oh  it  almoft  choakes 
me.  I  mull  weep  ( he  wipes  the  tears  from  his 
eyes.)  Eternal  God  !  let  not  my  lamentati- 
ons rife  up  in  judgment  againft  their  author, 
if,  moved  by  my  forrows,  he  repents  his 
crimes,  will  awaken  the  fufferer  from  her 
fwoon  with  his  careffes,  and  reftore  her  fmil- 
ing  to  my  arms,  as  I  was  accuMomed  to  fee 
her  in  our  happier  days  ! 

E  2 


54  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Man  ( he  grasps  V/olf gauges  hand,  J  if 
your  heart  be  not  of  ftone,  if  your  foul  be 
not  quite  depraved,  pity  this  poor  creature, 
who  in  fpite  of  all  her  forrows,  all  the  name- 
leis  miferies  which  you  have  brought  on  her 
loves  you  ftill,  tenderly,  fmcerely  loves  you  ! 
Inhuman  wretch,  hear  how  fhe  ihames  youy 
what  a  pearl  you  have  call  away  !  This 
child  died  two  days  ago,  but  we  have  not 
ventured  to  take  it  from  her  yet.  In  her 
fhort  intervals  of  recollection,  fhe  prelfes  it 
earnefily  to  her  breaft,  and  laments  that  her 
only  remembrance  of  you  mould  become  the 
prey  of  corruption.  Ah  you  weep,  you  are 
moved  !  God  has  blelfed  my  words  1  I  have 
finiihed — do  you  begin  now  !  but  this  I  mult 
tell  you,  had  you  beheld  this  fcene  unmoved 
I  would  have  fired  thefe  piflols  through  your 
head,  and  then  furrended  myfelf  up  ta 
juftice.  I  have  killed  the  murderer  of  my 
child,  and  of  my  grandchild,  I  would  have 
iaid  ;  condemn  me  if  you  can  condemn  me!'* 

The  fight  of  the  fuffering  female  and  the 
dead  child,  with  the  harfh  language  of  the 
injured  father,  had  made  fo  flrong  an  im- 
preffion  on  Wolfgang's  ingenuous  heart,  that 
lie  wept  bitterly,  and  inwardly  curfed  the 
author  of  all  thefe  forrows  as  fervently  as  the 
wretched  parent  himfelf.  It  was  now  his 
turn  to  fpeak,  for  the  old  man  was  filent,  and 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


55 


awaited  his  determination ;  but  he  was  loo 
much  affected,  at  prefent,  to  attempt  enter- 
ing on  the  explanation  necefiary  to  his  ac- 
quittal, and  indeed  felt  that  it  would  be  in 
pain  till  the  fwooning  female  was  recovered. 
For  as  it  plainly  appeared  from  the  old  man's 
difcourfe  that  her  feducer  was  not  known  ei- 
ther to  him  or  his  fon,  Ihe  was  confequently 
the  only  perfon  who  could,  at  once,  fet  right 
this  miftake.  As  he  began  therefore  to  re- 
cover himfelf,  and  to  reflect  on  what  had 
pafled,  he  waited  anxioufly  for  the  moment 
when  her  returning  fenfes  would  enable  her 
to  fee  this  error,  and  acknowledge  his  inno- 
cence. 

But  this  moment  came  not.  Tortured 
and  debilitated  as  ftie  had  been  by  all  her 
fufferings,  this  unfortunate  creature  could 
not  fupport  the  account  of  her  betrayer's  be- 
ing walking  arm  in  arm  with  another  wo- 
man, at  the  very  time  when,  according  to  her 
hopes  and  ideas,  he  was  returning  to  her. 
This  laft  blow  fnapped  the  thread  of  life  ; 
and  while  her  father  was  endeavouring  to 
foften  the  heart  of  her  feducer  towards  her, 
her  foul  was  flown  to  a  better  world,  there  to 
receive  a  recompence  for  all  its  wrongs. 

The  old  man,  who  watched  Wolfgang's 
emotions,  and  faw  how  earnellly  he  looked 
at  his  daughter,  went  up  at  laft  to  her  bed. 


56  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


"  Clara,"  he  feid,  "  dear  Clara,  revive, 
awake  to  joy,  to  happinefs,  your  deceiver 
weeps,  he  loves  you  Hill  :  How  often,  with 
the  bare  pofiibility  of  this  being  fo,  have  I 
roufed  you  from  the  flrongefl  fwoon,  will 
you  not  revive  at  the  certainty  of  it?  (he 
seizes  her  hand;)  hear  what  your  fond  old 
father  fays  to  you,  What  is  this  ?  Her  hand 
is  flhT,  cold,  Clara,  are  you  dead  ?  f sinking 
back  J  Ah  me  is  !  fhe  is 

James,  who  had  hitherto  flood  filent,  now 
fprang  forwards  and  raifed  the  old  man  upon 
'the  bench  ;  then,  with  a  countenance  full  of 
anxiety,  he  approached  his  filler's  bed,  and, 
in  a  mournful  tone,  confirmed  the  old  man's 
apprehenfions.  A  long  and  awful  paufe  en- 
fued  ;  the  father  and  fon,  in  deep  defponden- 
cy,~  felt  themfelves  deftitute  of  all  confolation; 
and  Wolfgang,  full  of  anxiety  as  to  what  the 
iflue  of  this  affair  might  now  be,  fought  in 
vain  for  any  hopes  of  its  coming  to  a  happy 
conclufion.  The  old  man  at  laft  broke 
filence  :  like  a  lionefs,  robbed  of  her  young, 
he  ftarted  up  fuddenly,  and  feizeel  the  trem- 
bling Wolfgang  by  the  breafl — "  You  have 
fnatched  her  away  from  me,  You  have  killed 
her,"  he  cried  with  a  dreadful  voice.  "  Are 
you  omnipotent,  then  revive  her  again  !  but 
if  you  are  not,  then  defpair,  no,  pray,  pray, 
your  hour  is  come :  you  miift  be  facrificed 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  57 


for  my  child,  I  will  not  he  anfwerable  for 
your  future  wickednefs,  will  not  fuffer  you 
to  miflead  more  daughters,  to  make  more 
unhappy  fathers!  you  muft  die.  Your  father 
alfo  fhall  feel  what  it  is  to  have  his  deareft 
hopes  borne  to  the  grave,  to  be,  with  one 
ftroke,  robbed  of  all  the  joy  of  life,  Why  did 
he  give  exiftence  to  fuch  a  villain  ?M 

Wolfgang,  who  now  perceived  that  fdence 
would  only  aggravate  his  misfortune,  who 
was  confcious  of  his  innocence,  and  that,  by 
an  extraordinary  accident,  he  was  in  danger 
of  being  made  to  expiate  the  fault  of  another, 
had  now  recourfe  to  entreaties.  He  conjur- 
ed the  raving  father  to  be  calm  for  fome  mi- 
nutes, and  hear  what  he  had  to  fay  ;  and,  if 
he  did  not  then  find  him  quite  innocent  of 
this  crime,  he  would  willingly  undergo  the 
ignominious  torture  of  the  molt  dreadful 
death  that  could  be  inflicted  on  him. 

Old  Man  ( seizing  the  pistols  again,  and 
standing  opposite  to  Wolfgang.)  "  What  can 
you  fay  in  your  defence  ?  How  excufe  your 
profligacy,  your  flight,  and  your  filence  ? 
Speak,  but  woe  to  you  if  you  do  not  adhere 
flridtly  to  the  truth  ;  The  firft  lie  that  you 
utter,  I  will  Ihoot  you  through  the  head,  and 
you  will  certainly  then  go  damned  out  of  the 
world." 


53 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Wolfgang.  "  Only  permit  me  to  afk  fbme 
quefiions,  and  confider  them  well  before, 
through  a  rafh  deed,  you  make  yourfeif  and 
me  unhappy.  As  I  underftand  from  what 
has  paffed,  you  have  never  feen  the  feducer 
of  your  daughter 

Old  Man.  u  No,  I  have  never  feen  the 
murderer  of  my  daughter." 

Wolfgang.  "  Has  {he  not  often  named  him, 
often  defcribed  his  perfon  to  you  ?" 

01 i  Man.  "  Oh  often!  but  too  often !  He 
had  black  curling  hair  like  your's  ;  was  like 
you,  hypocritical  and  flattering  ;  ibit  and 
fmiline,  full  of  tendernefs  and  love  ;  and  vet 
with  a  heart,  as  black  as  his  hair,  full  of  tricks 
and  wickednefs."  S 

Wolfgang.  V  Sir,  I  conjure  you,  by  the 
foul  of  your  deceafed  daughter,  by  your  own 
hopes  of  falvation,  to  examine  this  affair  ac- 
curately, to  liften  to  me  patiently.  I  will 
lay  before  you  undeniable,  irrefutable  proofs 
that  you  have  mifiaken  me  ;  that  I  am  quite 
innocent  of  the  death  of  your  child ;  that, 
God  be  eternally  thanked,  no  fuch  crime  op- 
prefles  my  confcience  !  I  am  a  foreigner, 
who  " 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  59 


Old  Man  ffuriousty.J  How!  do  you  deny 
the  fac~t  ?  You  would  avail  yourfelf  of  the 
circumftance  of  my  not  perfonally  knowing 
you  !  Would  turn  the  death  of  my  child  to 
your  advantage  !  would  difown  this  deed, 
perhaps,  to  perpetrate  future  crimes  of  the 
fame  kind  !  Ah,  fuch  an  attempt  is  yet  more 
fhamefuj  than  her  murder!  This  is  your  re- 
pentance, This  the  reafon  of  the  hypocriti- 
cal tears  with  which  you  endeavor  to  move 
my  compaflion!" 

Wolfgang.  "  For  God's  fake!  only  lifter* 
to  me,  only  " 

Old  Man  (more  furiously)  "  No,  com- 
panion were  here  a  fin,  die,  pronigate  vil- 
lain !  and  try  if  you  can  alfo  deceive  the  Al- 
mighty !" 

As  he  faid  this,  he  fired  a  piftol  at  Wolf- 
gang, but  as  he  trembled  extremely,  both 
from  age  and  paffion,  the  ball  only  palled  by 
his  head  without  hitting  him. 

Self  defence  and  prefervation  are  me- 
chanical. Every  one  who  falls,  without 
knowing  it,  puts  his  hand  before  his  face, 
as  in  the  greateft  danger  of  being  injured  by 
the  fall ;  and  ever}-  one  who  is  attacked,  en- 
deavors to  defend  himfelf  on  the  fame 
mechanical  principle.    When  the  old  man, 


60  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


therefore,  aimed  the  fecond  piftol  at  Wolf- 
gang, the  latter  feized  his  arm,  and  llruggled 
with  him  for  it.  James  hallened  to  the 
afiillar.re  of  his  father,  and,  at  this  moment 
the  piftol  went  off',  and  mot  him  through  the 
head,  as  he  was  bending  forward  to  lay  hold 
of  Wolfgang's  arm. 

James  fell  inftantly,  and,  in  his  fall,  ex- 
tinguHhed  the  light  which  Hood  by  Clara's 
coi  pie.  The  old  man  had  been  thrown 
down  in  0  e  feuffle  ;  and,  not  knowing  that 
he  had  killed  his  fori,  he  called  to  him  for 
help,  and  raved  with  the  greateil  defpe- 
ration. 

Wolfgang,  who  merely  wifhed  to  fave  his 
life,  not  revenge  himfdf,  took  this  oppor- 
tunity of  trying  to  make  his  efcape.  He 
had  reached  the  door  juli  as  it  was  opened, 
in  a  great  Lu  ry,  by  a  pcafant  w  ho  lived  in 
the  fame  cottage,  and  who  now  came  in  with 
his  fen  ants  on  the  alarm  of  hearing  the 
piHo'S  with  a  firebrand,  by  way  of  light,  in 
his  hand.  They  forced  Wolfgang  back ;  and 
feeing  J  unes  in  the  agonies  of  death,  and 
the  old  man  Urupgling  upon  the  ground 
raving  with  all  the  frenzy  of  defpair,  on  the 
murder  of  his  child,  it  is  no  wonder  that 
they  took  the  former  for  the  perpetrator  of 
this  deed,  and,  without  liftening  to  his  ex- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  6% 


cufes,  bound  him,  and  dragged  him  ont  of  the 
houfe  diretlly.  They  threw  him  down  in 
the  yard,  and  one  of  the  fervants  was  left  to 
watch  him,  while  the  others  returned  into 
the  room. to  the  afMance  of  thofe  within. 

After  a  fhort  interval,  the  peafant  came 
out  again,  and  ordered  his  fervant  to  make 
htile,  and  put  the  horfes  to  the  waggon,  and 
carry  the  murderer  before  the  Juflice  imme- 
diately.   He  Hood  guard  himfelf  while  the 
fervant  went  to  execute  this  order;  and 
though  Wohgang  earneilly  endeavoured  io 
prove  his  innocence  to  him,  his  proofs  made 
not  the  leall  imprefiion    on  the  peafarit, 
u  Defend  yourfelf  as  you   can   before  the 
Juftice,"  he  faid  ;  "  it  is  of  no  ufe  your  doing 
it  to  me.    But  it  will  be  a  hard  matter  for 
you  to  prove  }our  in-iccence  there.  The 
wounded  man  is  already  dead  ;  the  old  man 
lies  in  the  lalt  extremity,  and  will  foon  be 
dead  alio.    How  it  is  with  the  daughter  I 
do  not  know  yet  myfelf,  but  probably  not 
much  better,  for  me  is  as  cold  as  ice,  and  as 
itm  as  a  board,     't  is  very  pofiible  that  veil 
may  have  the  lives  of  all  thefe  to  anfwer  for, 
I  would  not  take  one  of  them  on  my  con- 
fcience." 

Wolfgang,  who  muddered  as  much  at  this 
account  as  the  good-hearted  peafant  himfeJr, 

F 


62  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


now  entreated  that  they  would  carry  him 
either  to  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal,  or  the 

Countefs  von  M  .    "  Both  know  me," 

Jhe  added,  "  and  both  will  attefl  my  inno- 
cence." 

-  w  Tell  all  this  to  our  Juflice,"  faid  the 
peaiant ;  u  if  he  believes  what  you  fay,  it  is 
no  concern  of  mine  ;  I  have  fulfilled  my  duty, 
and  warn  my  hands  of  it.  But  you  may  befure 
that  I  fhall  openly  witnefs  againil  you  what  I 
faw  and  heard.  It  is  deteftable  to  murder 
any  man,  but  it  is  doubly  detefiable  and  cruel 
to  murder  fuch  excellent  people  ;  and  if  you 
are  the  llray  bird,  whom  the  unhappy  young 
creature  fought  for  lb  earneflly,  the  Lord  be 
merciful  to  your  poor  foul  !  You  will  then 
certainly  be  damned  ;  for  the  favour  of  the 
great  is  not  current  in  heaven  ;  the  nobleman 
reckons  for  no  more  than  the  peafant  there." 

With  fuch  very  poor  confolation  the  cot- 
ager  entertained  his  prifoner  till  the  fervant 
had  put  the  horfes  to  the  waggon.  Wolf- 
gang begged  that  if  they  would  not  quite  un- 
do the  cords  with  which  he  was  bound,  they 
would,  at  leaf!,  loofen  them  a  little,  as  they 
obflrucled  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  and 
occafioned  him  almoft  intolerable  pain.  But 
his  petition  was  not  attended  to  ;  they  threw 
him  into  the  waggon,  and  the  fervant  fet  off 
.with  it  dire&ly. 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  63 


C    H    A    P.  VI. 


V  V  OLFGANG's  fitttation  grew  worfe 
every  moment ;  for  the  cautious  peafant  had 
fwathed  him  with  cords  till  the  blood  was 
almoft  ftagnated  throughout  his  whole  body. 
He  lay  nearly  fenfejefs  in  the  waggon,  when 
he  ail  at  once  heard  a  great  noife  about  him, 
and  feveral  voices  plainly  call,  "  Hold  ! 
Hold  !"  He  looked  up,  and  perceived  a 
number  of  horfemen,  one  of  whom  held  the 
waggoner  by  his  coat,  and  aiked  who  he  was 
carrying.  "  A  murderer,"  anfwered  the 
man  :  "  do  not  detain  me,  for  it  may  be  the 
worfe  for  you." 

A  horseman.  "  The  worfe  for  us,  rafcal ! 
take  care  that  it  is  not  the  worfe  for  you  !" 

A  ftroke,  with  a  naked  fabre,  cleft  the 
waggoner's  head,  and  he  fell  dead  from  the 
horfe.  Well  done,"  cried  a  voice  from 
amongft  the  crowd  which  thronged  about 
the  waggon,  "  the  fellow  mull  die,  or  he 
might  betray  us  !" 


64  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


A  second  Horseman.  il  Let  us  not,  with 
our  too  great  caution,  forget  the  prifoner  !  I 
will  wager  that  the  fellows  have  laced  him 
fi&together,  lie  can  fcarcely  breathe*'1 

A  third  Horseman.  u  It  mud  certainly  be 
fo,  or  elfe  he  would,  at  lead,  have  lpoken." 

Some  of  them  now  raifed  the  benumbed 
Wolfgang,  untied  his  bands,  and  placed  him 
in  the  ilraw,  of  which  there  was  abundance 
in  the  waggon. 

A  Horseman.  "  How  are  you  new  \% 

-  Wolfgang.    "  Something  better." 

Horseman.  u  You  anfwer  very  weak- 
ly though  ;  the  amendment  can  be  bit  jult 
hep  inning.  Anxiety  and  fear,  before  the 
juitice,  may  have  had  a  ftrtrag  effeci  on  you. 
But  you  might  have  relied  boldly  on  our  af- 
fittance." 

A  sesond  Horseman.  u  The  devil  fellow, 
clo  not  talk  fo  long  !  recoiled  that  we  are 
not  judges  !  Hollman,  do  you  pet  upon  the 
horfe,  for  he  is  not  able  to  ride  yet*  Go  on 
as  fail  as  you  can,  that  you  may  be  foon 
over  the  frontiers,  and  Hop  at  the  oak.  V\7e 
Ami]  expert  you  there,  or  at  ieaft  not  be  far 
behind." 


"The  Mountain  Cottager. 


65 


H oilman  got  upon  the  horfe,  and  threw 
his  mantle  to  Wolfgang.  tl  There,"  fakl  he, 
"  wrap  youvfelf  in  that,  and  fleepaway  your 
fear;  for  when  we  get  home,  you  muft  be 
jovial.  We  have  all  refolved  to  drink  your 
health  to  night."  He  now  gave  the  horfes 
a  whip,  and  drove  on  to  the  left.  The  troop 
of  horfemen  followed  them  at  firft,  and  af- 
terwards took  another  route. 


To  defcribe  Wolfgang's  feelings  is  impof- 
fible.  Of  all  the  enigmatical  occurrences 
which  had  befallen  him  for  the  laft  two  days 
the  dreadful  incidents  at  the  cottage,  and 
his  prefentextraordinary  deliverance  appear- 
to  him  the  n  oft;  lb;  and  though  he  could 
only  fuppofe,  as  in  the  former  in  franc  e,  that 
they  originated  in  miiiake,  he  perplexed 
himfelf  in  vain  to  find  out  from  whence  thefc 
miftakes  could  arife,  and  becaufe  fo  confufed 
with  a  multiplicity  of  conjectures  on  the 
fubje6t,  that  he  lay,  for  fome  time,  like  a 
perfon  in  a  dream.  But,  as  his  blood  began 
to  circulate  again  freely,  and  reftored  the 
full  powers  of  his  understanding,  he  gradu- 
ally loll  the  recollection  of  his  pad,  in  the 
examination  of  h  s  prefent  fituation  ;  and, 
from  the  lingular  difcourfe  and  behaviour  of 
his  deliverers,  he  foon  concluded  that  he  was 
not  in  very  good  company.  At  nrll  lie  re- 
folved to  enter  into  converfation  with  his 
F  2 


66 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


driver  ;  but  when  he  confidered  that,  by  this 
means,  they  might  eafily  difcover  their  error 
refpecting  himfelf,  and  that  this  man  might 
not  be  pleafed  to  find  he  was  carrying  an 
entire  Granger,  he  thought  it  beft  to  be  filent. 
Reflecting  then  on  the  fate  of  the  poor  fer- 
vant,  and  the  indifference  with  which  he  was 
murdered,  he  believed,  not  without  reafon, 
that  the  end  of  this  adventure  was  to  be  dread- 
ed, and  therefore  determined,  while  it  was 
pofiible,  to  make  his  efcape. 

As  he  made  this  refolution,  they  were  go- 
ing up  a  ileep,  woody  hill,  it  was  lb  dark 
that  W olfgang  could  fee  neither  the  horfes 
nor  driver  ;  and  taking  advantage  of  this  fa- 
vourable obfcurity,  he  crept  flowly  and  filent- 
ly  out  of  the  waggon.  They  were  then  at 
the  top  of  the  hill,  and  to  his  great  joy  the 
man  drove  on  very  fail. 

Alone,  and  without  any  knowledge  of  the 
country,  W olfgang  flood,  for  fome  time,  un. 
decided  what  eburfe  to  purfue.  At  firft  he 
thought  of  going  back  to  a  village  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  hill,  through  which  they  had  paf- 
fed  ;  but  then  recollecting  that  the  horfemen 
might  be  behind,  whom  he  by  no  means 
wiflied  to  meet,  he  gave  up  that  idea,  and 
fought  for  a  bye-way,  which  might  carry  him 
in  fecuiity,  either  to  the  right  or  Ml  of  the 


The  Mountain  Cottager, 


67 


road.  After  groping  forward  for  a  little 
while,  he  law,  notwithstanding  the  darknefs, 
a  road  open  to  the  left,  upon  which  he  walk- 
ed forward  as  fail  as  poilible.  This  became 
gradually  narrower,  and  was  fo  deep  and 
rugged  that  poor  Wolfgang  laid  down  at  laft 
quite  tired,  glad  rather  to  await  the  return 
of  day  there,  than  to  go  on  any  farther  in  iuch 
uncertainty. 

He  foon  fell  afleep,  and  did  not  awake 
again  till  the  fun  wasrifen,  and  gave  him  an 
opportunity  of  examining  his  new  lodging, 
which  was  in  a  craggy  dell  amidft  fome  high 
rocks,  from  whence,  in  the  dark,  he  mud 
have  vainly  endeavoured  to  find  his  way  out. 
After  clambering  about  now  for  a  confider- 
able  time,  he  came  to  a  kind  of  path  which 
led  him  from  his  rockey  vale  into  one  of  afar 
more  agreeable  nature.  A  beautiful  mea- 
dow, enamelled  with  flowers,  andfurround- 
ed  by  a  thick  wood,  lay  before  Yarn  ;  and  the 
lowing  of  a  little  herd  of  cattle,  which  was 
grazing  not  far  off,  gave  him  hopes  that  he 
*  as  near  fome  inhabited  place.  Still  trem- 
bling from  the  yellerday's  adventure,  he 
wifhed  firft  to  fee  fomething  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  valley  from  a  diflancel  before  he 
ventured  amoiigft  them,  and  with  this  view 
Hood  for  fome  time  under  a  tree  ;  but  as  he 
few  iio  living  creatures  befides  the  herd, 


68 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


which  could  not  at  all  fatisfy  his  curiofity,  he 
ventured  at  lalt  to  go  on,  and  foon  came  in 
light  of  a  final  1  neat  cottage.  Agitated  be- 
tween hopes  and  fears,  he  went  thither,  wrap- 
ped in  his  mantle,  and  knocked  at  the  door, 
wifhmg  to  obtain  there  both  the  means  of 
fatisfying  his  hunger,  and  a  guide  to  conduct 
him  on  his  way. 

After  repeated  knocking,  an  old  woman 
came  to  the  door,  afked  him,  in  a  very  rough 
manner,  why  he  knocked  fo  violently,  and 
what  he  wanted  there  ? 

Wolfgang.  "  Dear  mother,  I  loft  ihyfeif 
yellerday  in  this  folitary  country.  I  flept  lalt 
night  in  the  wood.  I  do  not  know  my  way, 
and  feek  now  for  a  guide  who  may  conduct 
me  again  to  the  road." 

Old  Woman  (in  a  milder  tone.)  "  Step  in 
here  for  a  little  while.  When  I  have  cooked 
my  porridge,  I  will  be  your  conductor  my- 
felf." 

Wolfgang  followed  her  joyfully  into  a 
neat  little  room,  the  wallsytff  which  were 
hung  with  very  pretty  prints,  and  altogether 
gave  him  the  idea  that  it  could  not  belong  to 
a  quite  common  pofleffor.  He  had  juft  ac- 
cepted the  chair  which  was  offered  him,  as 
he  faw,  in  one  corner  of  the  room,  a  young 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  69 


maiden  in  a  neat  peafant's  drefs,  who  was 
combing  out  her  longhair,  and  did  not  ap- 
pear to  concern  herfelf  with  the  entrance  of 
a  ftranger.  "  Make  hafte,  and  get  yourfelf 
ready,"  laid  the  old  woman  to  her,  and  then 
went  oat  to  cook  her  porridge.  The  maiden 
now  iinilhed  her  employment,  plaited  up 
her  hair,  and  turned  round  to  their  guefh 

"  Good  morning,  Sir,"  fhe  faid,  fmiling ; 
•*  from  whence  comeft  thou  fo  early  ?"  It 
feemed  to  Wolfgang  as  if  he  had  beard  this 
voice  before,  He  looked  at  her,  and  his  fur- 
prife  was  excited  to  the  higheft  degree  ;  for 
not  only  her  voice,  but  her  face,  her  whole 
figure,  her  manner,  were  perfectly  like  the 

Countefs  von  M  ,  with  whom  he  was 

walking  the  evening  before.  Doubting,  how- 
ever, the  poflibility  of  finding  her  here,  he 
looked  at  the  maiden  again,  and  the  refem- 
Wance  appeared  to  him  fo  ftrong,  that  his 
doubts  began  to  give  way  to  the  evidence  of 
his  eyes  ;  and  lie  was  jufl  going  to  afk  her  by 
what  miracle  five  was  there,  and  in  that 
drefs,  as  the  old  woman  came  in  with  a  bowl 
of  porridge,  and  interrupted  his  intended 
que  (lions. 

Old  Woman  ( to  the  maiden.)  Are  you 
ready  at  la  ft  ? — Come,  eat  a  few  fpoonsful 
quickly,  and  go  out ;  it  is  high  time." 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Maiden  f  setting  herself  to  the  table  )  "He 
will  not  come  lb  early." 

Old  Woman.  "  You  fpeak  as  you  think." — 

(To  Wolfgang)  "  Sir,  if  you  have  a  mind  to 
cat  a  few  fpoonsful,  pray  feat  yourfelf  with- 
out any  ceremony. " 

Wolfgang  accepted  her  invitation  in 
filence,  and  continued  looking  fledfaftly  at 
the  maiden,  whofe  llkenefs  to  the  Countefs 
increafed  on  him,  till  he  thought  it  certainly 
mull  be  her  ;  but  to  his  great  aflonifhment 
ihe  did  not  appear  at  all  to  know  him.  The 
old  woman  in  the  meantime  helped  him  to 
fome  porridge,  and  begged  him  not  to  be 
afraid  to  eat. 

Old  Woman  (to  the  Maiden.)  "  I  beg, 
above  all  things,  that  you  will  make  hafte, 
and  do  not  forget  a  word  of  what  you  have 
been  taught,  for  it  is  all  of  importance.  Are 
you  fure  you  are  perfect  in  it  ?" 

Maiden.  "O  yes,  quite  fure;  I  can  re- 
peat it  as  perfectly  as  the  Lord's  prayer." 

Old  Woman.  "  Let  us  try.  What  will 
you  do  when  you  fee  him  coming  up  the 
path :" 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


7* 


Maiden.  "  I  will  arife,  and  go  towards 
him,  and  fay,  Good  morning,  Mr.  Wolfgang, 
from  whence  com  eft  thou  fo  early  ?" 

Old  Woman.  "  And  if  he  mould  afk,  how 
you  come  to  know  his  name  V* 

Maiden.  "  O  dear,  Sir,  I  fhall  fay,  I 
know  thee  better  than  thou  thinkeft. 
Doit  thou  not  come  from  Savoy  ?  doft  thou 
not  deal  in  moufe-traps  and  hatchels  ? 

Old  Woman.  "  And  if  he  mould  fay,  how 
come  you  to  know  that  ?" 

Maiden.  "  Then  I  {hall  anfwer,  my  mo- 
ther has  told  me  every  thing ;  and  if  thou 
wouldft  know,  Sir,  of  whom  fhe  learnt  it, 
go  with  me  to  her ;  fhe  Jives  down  here  in 
the  valley." 

Old  Woman.  "  But  if  he  fhoukj  fay,  My 
good  child,  I  have  not  time  at  prefent  ;  I 
muft  go  farther :" 

Maiden.  u  Then  I  will  fpeak  kindly  to 
him,  and  entreat  him,  till  he  fliall  at  laft 
confent.  Leave  that  to  my  care  ;  come  he 
certainly  fliall  if  he  poffefles  the  lead  fenfi- 
biUty,  and  if  he  mould  pleafe  me." 


7  2  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

Old  Woman.  "  Pleafe,  or  not  pleafe  you, 
that  fignifies  nothing!  Remember  that 
your's  and  your  mother's  happinefs  depends 
on  it.'* 

Maiden.  "  Very  right ;  but  yet  he  mud 
pleafe  me,  or  elfe  1  will  not  bring  him."  . 

Old  Woman.  «  Wicked  child  !  do  you 
call  that  honouring  your  parents  ?  do  you 
call  that  obeying  them  ?  if  you  will  not  mind 
any  thing  elfe,  remember  the  fifth  com- 
mandment." 

Maiden.  "  Well,  well !  I  will  think  of  it. 
In  the  meanwhile,  adieu." 

Old  Woman.  "  Good  luck  to  you  !  good 
luck!" 

The  maiden  took  a  little  bafket  of  cherries 
upon  her  arm,  aud  went  out  without  even 
looking  at  Wolfgang;  whofe  ailonimment, 
during  this  conversation,  had  exceeded  ad 
that  he  had  felt  before,  and  by  no  effort  of  his 
underftandlng  could  he  form  any  conjecture 
that  feemed  plabfible  enough  to  elucidate 
this  my  ft  cry.  The  teftimony  of  his  fenfes 
almoR  convinced  him  that  the  maiden,  who 
had  juft  left  the  room,  was  the  Countefs  von 
M  ,  with  whom  he  had  been  walking 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


73 


the  preceding  evening,  and  from  whom  he 
was  fo  unpleafantly  feparated  ;  and  the  fight 
of  her  rekindled  in  his  bofom  the  paflion  he 
then  felt  for  her,  and  which  the  unfortunate 
adventure  of  the  night  had  fupprefled,  but 
not  extinguimed.  Several  times  he  was 
about  to  afk  her  the  reafon  of  her  being  there, 
and  in  fo  different  a  drefs  ;  but  her  not  ap- 
pearing to  know  him,  and  her  generally  in- 
different and  even  repulfive  behaviour  to- 
wards him  checked  this  inclination. 

As  he  Hill  farther  revolved  in  his  mind 
the  ftrange  circumftanees  of  the  Counters 
being  there  in  that  drefs  ;  being  fent  out  to 
watch  for  him,  and  invite  him  thither  ;  of 
her  behaving  fo  kindly  to  him  the  day 
before,  and  now,  as  if  Ibe  did  not  know  him  ; 
of  how  they  knew  that  he  would  come  that 
way ;  and  how  he,  a  poor  Savoyard,  could 
be  of  any  importance  to  their  happinefs,  he 
became  more  and  more  perplexed.  Unable 
to  folve  this  in  any  other  way,  he  began  at 
laft  to  think  that  he  was  purfued  by  fome 
hoftile  enchanter,  who  by  his  delufions 
brought  him  into  all  thefe  unaccountable  ad- 
ventures. 

Some  old   romances,  in  which  he  had 
learnt  to  read,  had  rather  given  him  a  turn 
for  the  marvellous ;  and  his  heated  imagina- 
G  ' 


74 


The  Mountain  Cottaper. 


tton  re  preferred  the  probability  of  tb^s,  till  he 
felt  fatisaed  that  all  Which  had  befallen  him 
was  the  effect  of forcerv,  and  he  fat  in  the  ut- 
molt  anxiety,  ex  peeling  new  wonders  to  arife 
every  moment. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  old  woman,  whofe 
face  nearly  refembled  the  phyfiognomy  of  a 
witch,  as  they  are  defcribed  in  Feenmarchen, 
and  other  romances  of  the  kind,  was  fetting 
the  room  in  order.  Wolfgang,  who  examin- 
ed her  accurately  during  this  time,  took  her 
for  the  wife  of  the  forcerer,  and  had  juft  re- 
folved  to  be  on  his  guard  againft  her,  as  fhe 
had  fmifned  her  bufmefs,  and  came  towards 
him. 

Old  Woman.  14  When  do  you  wifh  to  go, 
Sir,  and  to  what  road  fliall  I  conduct  you  ?" 

Wolfgang.  "  To  which  ever  my  perfecu- 
tors  have  determined  on.  But,  however 
they  may  attempt  to  delude  me,  1  hope  to 
God,  that  with  his  afliftance,  I  fliall  happily 
■overcome  all  temptation." 

Old  Woman  (stepping  back  frightened.) 
"4  Heaven  protect  me,  the  man  is  mad." 

Wolfgang.  "  Not  mad,  but  perhaps  en- 
chanted ;  But  I  am  under  God's  protection, 
and  no  one  fliall  prevail  againfl  me." 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


75 


As  he  faid  this  with  great  emphafis,  the 
old  woman  thought  it  beft  to  make  her  ef- 
cane,  for  file  believed  him  to  be  either  a  mad- 
man or  villain,  who  under  that  deception, 
came  to  rob  and  murder  her.  She  went 
backwards  to  the  door,  and  foon  as  flie  had 
reached  it,  (prang  out  in  a  great  hurry. 

Wolfgang  was  ftill  more  confirmed  in  his 
©pinion  by  her  flight,  and  rejoiced  exceeding- 
ly that  he  had,  in  this  manner,  avoided  all 
far- her  temptation.  Refolvednot  to  flay  any 
longer  in  this  houfe,  he  went  to  the  door  ; 
but  the  cautious  old  woman  had  locked  it, 
and  was  gone  to  a  neighbour  for  affillance. 
The  fattened  door,  however,  was  rot  fo  for- 
midable as  fhe  was  ;  and,  after  croffing  and 
blefling  himfelf  feveral  times,  he  endeavour- 
ed to  get  it  off  the  hinges,  but  notwithstand- 
ing his  adjurations,  and  his  labour,  he  was 
foiled  in  this  attempt.  Determined,  never- 
thelefs,  not  to  remain  here,  he  got  out  of  the 
window,  and  ran  forwards.  He  had  fcarcely 
reached  the  wood,  when  he  faw  the  old  wo- 
man and  two  peafants  going  to  the  houfe* 
At  this  fight  he  redoubled  his  fpeed,  and 
darted  into  the  thickeft  part  of  it,  where  he 
was  at  lafl  fo  fortunate  as  to  find  a  footpath, 
which  led  him  through  a  valley,  and  then  up 
a  hill ;  and  here  he  once  more  loft  all  traces 
of  any  human  beings,. 


?6  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


CHAP.  VII. 


A  FTER  walking  till  he  was  quite  faint 
and  tired,  Wolfgang  paufed,  and  took  off  the 
mantle  given  him  in  the  night  by  the  horfe- 
man  who  drove  the  waggon,  and  which  he 
had  from  that  time  kept  wrapped  about  him, 
and  folding  it  up,  carried  it  under  his  arm. 
By  the  height  of  the  fun  and  his  extreme  hun- 
ger, he  guefled  it  muft  be  about  noon,  as  he 
came  to  a  more  open  part  of  the  wood, 
which  he  judged  to  be  near  the  end  of  it,  and 
going  on  with  renewed  alacrity  at  this  prof- 
peel:,  he  foon  arrived  at  its  terming  l^n. 
The  joy  which  this  at  firft  gave  him  was  of 
Ihort  duration  ;  for  on  looking  down  a  valley 
directly  before  him,  he  perceived,  to  his  utter 
difmay,  that  he  was  oppofite  the  fame  houfe 
from  whence  he  had  efcaped  that  morning. 
Firmly  convinced  now  that  he  was  enchanted 
and  conft rained  by  the  art  of  the  old  woman 
to  return  to  this  place,  he  had  almoft  refolv- 
ed  to  refign  himielf  quietly  to  a  fate  which 
feemed  unavoidable,  as  he  heard  a  voice  not 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  77 


far  from  him  ;  and  giving  way  mechanically 
to  his  fear,  he  fprung  into  the  thicket,  and 
concealed  himfelf  under  a  bufh.  He  diftin- 
guifhed  the  found  of  footfteps  very  plainly, 
and  looking  ftedfaftly  towards  the  quarter 
from  whence  they  came,  to  his  great  afton- 
ifhment  faw  the  Countefs  von  M  ap- 
proaching, drefTed  as  a  lady.  She  was  read- 
ing, and  walked  flowly,  followed  by  two  ier- 
vants,  one  of  whom  he  immediately  recol- 
lected as  alMingto  put  him  into  the  carriage 
the  day  before.  A  little  dog,  which  wasrun- 
ning  after  her,  coming  up  to  his  hiding-place, 
began  barking  fo  violently  that  the  Countefs 
took  notice  of  it,  and  flopping,  ordered  one 
of  the  fervants  to  fee  what  occafioned  his 
making  fuch  a  noife.  Poor  Wolfgang  was 
now  loon  difcovered  lying,  drawn  together  in 
the  imalleil  pofTible  compafs  ;  and  like  a  hair 
when  it  is  furprifed,  fitting,  looking  at  the 
dcG,  not  knowing  which  way  to  fly  ;  and  the 
man  returned  to  his  miftrefs  with  the  infor- 
mation, that  the  foreign  gentleman,  who 
was  with  her  yefterday,  lay  not  far  off  under 
a  bum. 

a  How,  the  Signor  here!"  cried  out  the 
Lady,  and  tried  to  make  her  way  towards 
him.    Now  or  never ;  you  mult  fly  the  en- 
chantrefs,  thought  Wolfgang,  and  chofe  the 
G  2 


7  8  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


former.  As  he  heard  her  drawing"  near,  he 
therefore  ftarted  up,  and  ran  into  the  thicket. 
The  nolle  that  he  made  betrayed  [lis  flight  to 
the  Couritefs,  who  called  very  earnellly  af- 
ter him,  u  Stop,  Signor  I  only  hear  me  !  I 
have  foiiiethmg  very  important  to  fay  to  you. 
Indeed  1  will  not  afk  you  what  you  were  do- 
ing here  !"  But  all  her  entreaties  to  him  to 
Hop,  had  no  other  effect  than  to  increafe  his 
impatience  to  get  away. 

As  long  as  I  can  efcape  this  Syren's  voice 
by  flying,  thought  he,  it  is  happy  for  me, 
while  he  affiduoufly  endeavoured  to  get 
through  the  underwood.  His  purpofe  was 
foon  anfwered,  for  the  Countefs  was  not  able 
to  follow  him,  as  her  dothes  hung  in  the 
bullies  :  and  before  fhe  could  difengage  them, 
he  was  out  of  the  found  of  her  voice.  He 
arrived  at  laft,  quite  fatigued,  at  the  foot  of 
a  high  hill,  which  he  mult  either  pafs  over, 
or  return  through  the  wood ;  his  fear  decided 
for  the  former,  but  his  extreme  wearinefs  in- 
duced him  to  relt  a  little  before  he  commen- 
ced this  arduous  undertaking. 

He  had  wrapped  himfelf  again  in  his  man- 
tle, and  laid  down  in  hopes  of  getting  to  fleep 
as  the  approach  of  fomebody  difturbed  and 
alarmed  him.    He  looked  up  with  anxiety 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


and  faw  to  his  utter  amazement  that  it  was 

the  Countefs  von  M  ,  as  he  had  feen 

her  in  the  morning;  at  the  old  woman's  in  her 
peafant's  drefs,  and  with  the  bafket  on  her 
arm.  Though  he  crept  clofe  to  the  hill,  (for 
he  was  unable  to  flv)  it  was  impoffible  but 
fhe  mud  fee  him,  as  fhe  came  along  a  foot- 
path, which  he  had  not  perceived  before,  di- 
rectly oppofite  to  where  he  lay.  She  llared 
at  him,  and  ftood  it  ill  in  apparant  irrefolu- 
tion.  In  order  to  conceal  her  emb^rrurTment, 
(he  began  to  tie  her  fhoe- ribbon,  which  had 
got  loofe,  and  glanced  fideways  at  Wolf  ang 
as  heltood  there  in  his  mantle  like  a  ftatue. 
He  had  now  an  opportunity  of  feeing  one 
of  the  prettieft  feet  in  the  world  ;  but  he 
purpofely  turned  afide  his  head,  to  avoid, 
as  he  believed,  a  temptation  thrown  in  his  way 
by  the  devil. 

When  me  had  tied  her  irioe,  me  fun- eyed 
him  attentively,  but  did  not  dare  to  advance; 
and  he  was  Hill  ftltmt.  but  involuntarily  ftole 
a  lookeverv  now  and  then  at  this  charming 
creature.  At  hit  fhe  began  to  fpeak.  "  Sir,'' 
flie  faid,  timidly,  aud  came  two  fteps  nearer 
to  him,  I  hope  I  have  nothing  to  fear  from 
thee.  1  am  battening  home,  for  my  mother 
is  certainly  expecting  me  with  impatience, 
and  i  entreat  thee  not  to  prevent  my  going.- 9 


8o  The  Mountain  Cottager, 


Wolfgang.  "  Go,  in  God's  name  !  I  do 
not  defire  your  company  !  But  do  not  betray 
me.  And  if  you  have  any  compaffion  for  the 
unfortunate,  tell  me  the  neareit  v/ay  out  of 
this  place." 

She  now  took  courage,  and  darted  by  him 
as  quick  as  an  arrow.  When  fhe  was  about 
three  fteps  from  him,  me  turned  about,  and 
laid,  u  Sir,  if  thou  art  the  unhappy  murderer 
whom  they  have  been  feeking  for  to-day  in 
the  wood,  fly  diredlly  over  the  frontiers  ;  go 
up  the  hill  to  the  right,  and  flraigbt  down 
from  thence  thou  wilt  fend  the  way,  and 
may  ft  get  there  before  night  .7  Having  faid 
this,  fhe  foonvaniihed^  and  left  him  in  the 
greateft  coniufion. 

Nothing  was  really  more  probable  than 
that  he  was  taken  for  a  murderer,  and  pur- 
sued asfuch  ;  yet  it  feemed  much  more  pro- 
bable to  him  that  this  caution  was  only  the 
deceit  of  the  forcerefs,  who*  by  means  of  her 
colleague,  wanted  to  frighten  him  into  fol- 
lowing the  path  to  the  right,  that  he  might 
come  again  to  her  dwelling,  and  at  laft  fall 
into  her  fnare.  He  refolved  therefore  to  con- 
tinue his  courfe  to  the  left,  and  rather  to  re- 
main all  night  under  a  tree — rather  to  die 
for  want  of  refrefhments,  thap  to  go  any 
more  into  that  neighbourhood  ;  and  exerting 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


81 


air  his  ftrength,  he  began  to  climb  the  hill. 
After  much  labour  he  arrived  at  the  f am  mi  t 
of  it,  from  whence  he  overlooked  the  whole 
country,  and  faw  at  his  feet  a  large  village, 
towards  which  he  went,  refolved  there  to  en- 
quire his  way  to  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal's, 
and  if  poflible  to  obtain  from  him  his  palfport 
his  clothes,  and  his  wares,  and  then  for  ever 
leave  a  country  in  which  he  thought  the  wel- 
fare  of  his  foul  in  danger. 

Near  him  as  the  village  appeared  to  lie, 
owing  to  his  fatigue,  and  accidentally  taking 
the  longeft  way,  he  did  not  get  there  till  the 
evening.  Wrapt  in  his  mantle,  and  without 
a  hat,  for  he  had  loft  that,  he  knew  not 
where,  the  night  before  he  went  into  the  ale- 
houfe  of  the  village,  and  feating  himfelf  at 
the  neareft  table,  afked  for  a  glafs  of  beer 
and  a  bit  of  bread.  The  hoft,  an  unwieldy 
corpulent  man,  who  was  fitting  in  an  old 
arm-chair,  was  the  only  perfon  in  the  room, 
and  he  let  him  afk  two  or  three  times  before 
he  went  out  to  fetch  what  he  defired.  ;  At  laft 
he  brought  the  refreflirnent  lb  much  wanted 
by  Wolfgang,  who  ate  and  drank  heartily, 
without  obferving  that  the  hoft  flood  by  ex- 
amining him  very  narrowly. — "  From 
whence  come  you  thus  alone  ?"  laid  he,  after 
fome  time ;  u  and  which  way  are  you 
going  ?" 


§2  The  Mountain  Cottager, 


Wolfgang  (somewhat  confused,  but  soon 
recovering  himself)  "  I  come  from  Nurem- 
berg, and  am  going  to  the  Baron  von  Tiefen- 
thal's  whom  perhaps  you  may  know." 

Host.  u  O  yes,  I  know  him  very  well  ;  his. 
Cattle  lies  about  eight  or  nine  miles  from 
hence." 

Wolfgang  ( much  rejoiced  at  this  answcri  J  , 
tl  I  loft  myfeif  in  the  wood  early  this  morn- 
ing, and  for  a  long  time  fought  my  way  out1 
of  it  in  vain,  till  by  pood  luck  I  fend  the 
path  to  this  village.  Will  you  procure  me 
a  guide,  who  may  conduct  me  to-morrow  to 
the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal's  caftle  ?" 

"  May  be  fo,"  fa  id  the  hoff,  very  phleg- 
xnatically,  and  went  out  of  the  room.  Two 
very  Rout  fervants  foon  came  in,  and  feated 
themfelves  oppofite  to  Wolfgang,  who  be- 
gan to  forget  the  mifery  that  he  had  endured 
in  the  relifh  of  his  bread  and  beer,  and  the 
hopes  of  feeing  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal 
again,  of  whole  exiftence,  on  the  evidence  of 
the  haft,  he  no  longer  doubted.  Then, 
thought  he,  I  mall  put  on  my  jacket  once 
more,  and  joyfully  quit  this  inchanted  coun- 
try." 


T/:e  Mountain  Cottager. 


83 


Scarcely  had  this  paffed  in  his  mind,  be- 
fore the  holt  returned  with  fome  companions. 
One  of  them,  who  had  fetters  in  his  hand, 
and  the  two  fervancs,  drew  near  to  Wolf- 
gang. "  Sir,"  feid  this  man,  M  will  you  yield 
yout Telf  a  prifoiier,  or  muft  we  feize  and  bind 
you  by  force  ?  Bat  I  can  iell  you  that  refin- 
ance will  be  of  no  lervice  to  you,  for  care  is 
taken  that  you  ftiall  neither  elude  nor  -over- 
power us  ;  obucfe  tue  prudent  part  therefore, 
and  iubimt  quici.lv  to  be  fettered." 

Wolf  ;w's  furprife  at  this  fpeech  maybe 
eafily  imagined-  "  i  mall  not  make  any  re- 
finance,n  ne  laid  ;  "  do  with  me  what  you 
will,  but  i  am  innocent." 

14  That  may  pcffibty  be,"  anfw-ered  the 
•ho ft  ;  "  out  probable  it  certainly  is  not.  The 
mantle,  which  the  gentleman  has  about  him, 
was  ltolen  trom  me,  toother  with  many 
otuer  things,  and  fome  money,  lalt  week;  and 
whoever  has  that,  molt  likely  knows  mme- 
thing  of  the  reft  of  the  property,  .i  trie  gen- 
tleman can  give  but  an  account  of  whom  he 
bought  it,  or  how  elfe  he  came  by  it,  after 
•duly  examining  his  evidence,  we  will  give 
the  gentleman  no  farther  trouble,  but  leave 
him  to  go  peaceably  on  his  way." 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


"  Yes,  if  the  gentleman  can  do  this,"  faid 
the  man  with  the  fetters,  u  I  lliall  on  no  ac- 
count put  on  the  irons.  Come,  Sir,  fpeak 
out,  where  had  you  the  mantle  V% 

Wolfgang  (in  great  confusion.)  "  This 
mantle  ?  1  found  it  to-day — to-day,  upon 
the  read." 

Host.  "  Aha  !  the  old  ftory !  the  common 
cry  of  all  rogues  when  they  are  taken  with 
ftolen  goods !  Neighbour  put  on  the  irons. 
Our  Julticiary  will  foon  force  him  to  confef- 
fion.  I  hope,  with  God's  alii  France,  to  get 
hack  all  I  have  loll." 

"  I  wihh  you  may  with  all  my  heart,"  an- 
fwe red  the  man  with  the  irons,  as  he  fattened 
them  on  Wolfgang's  feet,  who  became  con- 
tented with  his  new  iituation,  becaufe  he 
hoped  to  prove  his  innocence  before  the  Jus- 
ticiary, and  to  be  delivered  at  laft  lrom  the 
perpetually  renewed  perplexities,  and  the 
eternal  anxieties  in  which  he  was  involved. 
But  as  they  took  off  the  mantle,  and  all  at 
once  cried  out,  "  Heavens  !  this  is  the  mur- 
derer who  was  fought  for  fo  affiduoufly  in 
the  morning  !  every  thing  anfwers  to  the  de- 
fcription  of  him  !  the  fame  clothes — the  fame 
hair,  the  fame  face  !  his  courage  failed,  and  he 
began  to  weep  aloud. — "  God  !"  he  exclaim- 


The  Mountain  Cottager, 


«5 


fed,  "  in  what  mifeiy,  in  what  forrow,  (hall  I, 
though  guiltlefs,  be  plunged  V9 

The  bye-ftanders  were  unmoved  by  his 
diftrefs. — "  Had  you,''  faid  one  of  them, 
thought  of  what  you  were  about  beforehand, 
you  might  have  been  fpared  your  fighs  and 
tears.  But  thefe  warn  out  no  blood  ;  that  can 
only  be  atoned  by  blood." 

Amidft  thefe  comfortable  remarks,  Wolf- 
gang's hands  were  bound  behind  his  back, 
notwith (landing  his  entreaties  againft  it,  and 
his  aifurances  that  he  would  not  fly ;  and 
then  all  prelent  held  a  council,  how  they 
could  moft  expeditioufly  convey  this  dange- 
rous thief  and  murderer  to  prifon  while  it 
was  light,  that  he  might  not  again  murder 
Iris  conductors,  and  efcape  as  he  had  done 
the  day  before. 

Every  word  of  this  converfation  added  to 
Wolfgang's  grief  and  defpair.  He  had  been 
eenfoled  all  day  by  the  firm  belief  that  thefe 
terrible  adventures  had  not  actually  happen- 
ed, but  were  only  an  illufion  ;  and  this  was 
now  entirely  deftroyed,  ashe  heard  from  every 
mouth  a  confirmation  of  the  dreadful  hiftory. 
One  lingering  hope  fiill  remained,  that  this 
might  be  a  new  delufion  ;  but  this  gradually 
forfook  him,  as  they  threw  him  bound  into  a 
H 


86  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


waggon,  furrounded  by  above  a  dozen  armed 
men,  who  threatened  to  moot  him  if  he  at- 
tempted to  Itir,  and  was  completely  annihila- 
ted, as  at  laft,  after  a  ride  of  two  hours,  he 
was  lifted  from  the  waggon,  and  carried  into 
a  dark. cave,  the  door  of  which  was  clofed  af- 
ter him,  and  carefully  locked. 


CHAP.  VIII. 


OLFGANG  lay  weeping  upon  the 
cold  damp  earth,  bemoaning  his  misfortunes, 
and  protefting  his  innocence  in  vain .;  for  no 
one  was  near  to  hear  and  anfwer  him.  The 
mo  fly  walls  indeed  re-echoed  hisfighs,  but  this 
afforded  him  very  little  confolation.  Far  bet- 
ter than  that  was  the  fuccefs  of  his  efforts  to 
fet  his  hands  at  liberty.    The  cord,  with 
which  they  were  bound,  was  accidentally 
loofened  in  the  wagpon,  and  the  negligent 
attendants  had  not  examined  it,  as  they  well 
knew  that  even  with  the  ufe  of  his  hands,  he 
could  net  force  his  way  through  the  two  iron 
doors  which  guarded  the  entrance  of  the 
xave.    He  was  thus  able  to  wind  them  gra- 


TJje  Mountain  Cottager. 


87 


dually  out  of  their  bonds,  and  render  his 
fituation  by  this  means  fomevvhat  lefs  irk- 
lbme. 

Though  he  had  a  hard  bed,  yet  he  had  a 
quiet  conference;  and  thus,  in  conlequence  of 
extreme  bodily  fatigue,  he  foon  fell  afleep. 
About  midnight  he  was  awakened  by  a  kind 
of  dull  continued  knocking  ;  and,  flatting  up 
itiil  confufed  with  ftupor,  he  rubbed  his  eyes 
to  fee  from  whence  this  proceeded,  but  in 
the  darknefs  which  furrounded  him  he  could 
diftinguim  nothing,  and  awaited,  in  trem- 
bling filence,  the  event  of  this  noife,  which 
feemed  to  iffue  from  the  farther  part  of  the 
cave,  and  varied  frequently  in  the  found.  - 
Notwithstanding  his  being  unable  to  fee, 
fear  kept  his  eyes  turned  towards  this  place, 
when,  all  at  once,  he  heard  a  loud  crack, 
and  faw  a  ludden  ray  of  light  which  fell  on 
the  oppofite  wall-,  and  after  the  noife  of 
fomething  falling,  as  if  not  far  from  him,  the 
light  encreafed,  and  by  degrees  illuminated, 
the  whole  cave.  His  hair  ftood  now  an  end, 
and  he  would  have  moved  from  the  place 
where  he  lay,  but  all  his  faculties  were  cen- 
tred in  his  ears  and  eyes ;  he  was  otherwife 
paralyfed  with  terror,  and  had  not  the  pow- 
er to  ftir. 


88  The  Mountain  Sottager. 


A  tall  black  man  now  came  down  into  tfi£ 
cave,  aim  oft  clofe  to  Wolfgang,  with  a  belt 
acrofs  his  moulder,  marked  with  feveral  kinds 
of  necromantic  figures.  In  his  right  hand 
he  carried  a  lighted  torch,  in  his  left  a  long 
ftaff,  and  under  his  arm  he  had  a  roll  of 
white  cloth  which  he  laid  upon  the  ground. 
Another  man  foon  followed  him,  who  ap- 
peared to  be  dreffed  in  white,  and  had  fome 
tools  in  his  hands  ;  but  what  they  were  Wolf- 
gang was  not  able  to  difcriminate,  for  he  was 
nearly  deprived  of  all  his  fenfes  by  this  un- 
expected appearance.  With  the  little  (trength 
he  had  remaining,  he  raifed  himfelffrom  the 
ground,  and,  with  an  agitated  and  horrible 
voice,  cried  out,  All  good  fpirits  praife  God!' 
Scarcely  had  he  uttered  thefe  words,  before 
the  torch  fell  from  the  forcerer's  hand,  and  he 
and  the  other  man  vanimed  directly. 

The  torch  continued  burning,  and  as  Wolf 
gang  came  by  degrees  to  the  ufe  of  his  fenfes, 
it  occurred  to  him  that  light  was  better  than 
darknefs  ;  for  terror  in creafed  wiih  the  latter, 
and  leffened  with  the  former.  He  therefore 
mechanically  feized  it,  and  trembling,  fur- 
veyed  his  dwelling.  At  his  feet  lay  the  bun- 
dle, and  near  it  a  pickaxe  and  fhovel, 
which  the  forcerer  and  his  companion  had 
left  behind  them.  In  looking  carefully  about 
to  fee  if  they  were  hidden  there,  he  faw  the 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  3  9 


opening  which  they  had  made,  and  through 
that  the  ftarry  Iky  and  the  moon,  whole  rays 
then  fell  upon  him.  At  this  fight  the  love 
of  freedom,  prevalent  in  every  man,  but  mod 
in  the  impriioned  man,  banifhed  all  terror 
from  the  heart  of  Wolfgang,  and  he  thought 
only  of  being  at  liberty. 

Without  knowing  the  contents  of  it,  he 
took  the  roll  of  white  cloth  under  his  arm, 
and  did  not  forget  the  pickaxe,  in  order,  with 
the  afliftance  of  this,  to  releafe  himfelf  from 
his  fetters.  Holding  the  torch  in  his  hand, 
he  went  through  the  opening,  and  came  into 
a  garden ;  and  having  now  light  enough  from 
the  moon,  he  threw  the  torch  back  into  the 
cave,  and  haitened  forwards.  He  hadfearcely 
gone  a  hundred  fteps  before  he  came  to  an 
open  door,  and  through  that  to  a  plain,  the 
extent  of  which  he  was  not  able  to  difcern. 
He  fat  down  on  the  outfide  of  the  garden- 
wall,  andftriking  his  fetters  with  the  pickaxe 
the  fattening  of  them  gave  way  ;  and  thus  de- 
livered, he  walked  brifkly  along  the  plain. 
Being  now  delirous  of  feeing  what  the  bun- 
dle contained,  he  untied  it  as  he  went,  and 
found  a  very  handfome  green  coat  and  waift- 
coat.  Thefe,  thought  he,  are,  without 
doubt,  given  me  by  the  forcerer  with  fome 
fmifter  defign,  and  I  certainly  would  not  put 
them  on,  if  I  knew  how  otherwife  to  get  ta 
Hz 


tfo  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

the  Baron  von  Ti  e  fen  thai' s.  But,  as  I  am 
ignorant  of  the  way  thither,  and  mult,  there- 
fore, inquire  it  of  fomebody,  it  is  very  likely 
that,  in  my  prefent  clothes,  I  may  be  again 
taken  for  a  murderer,  and  as  fuch,  dragged 
anew  to  prifon.  It  appeared  probable  to  him 
befides,  that  he  mould  be  purfued  as  foon  as 
his  flight  out  of  the  cave  was  dilcovered,  and 
that  he  mould  be  known  directly  by  the  fame 
means. 

All  thefe  reafons  werefo  weighty,  that  they 
not  merely  overcame  his  fears  of  the  clothe^ 
but  gave  him  courage  to  put  them  on,  which 
he  did  immediately,  and  threw  his  blue-laced 
fuit,  which  feemed  to  him  at  firft  fo  beauti- 
ful, into  the  next  bum.  He  then  walked  on 
confidering  over  the  adventures  of  this  night. 
That  a  forcerer  tormented  him,  and  would 
for  fome  purpofe  feduce  him,  no  longer,  in 
his  opinion,  admitted  of  a  doubt,  after  the  ex- 
perience of  the  laft  two  days,  and  his  having, 
not  above  an  hour  before,  feen  him  face  to 
face.  Yet,  that  he  could  not  mean  very  ill 
by  him,  as  he  always  delivered  him  from  the 
greater!:  dangers,  appeared  probable,  and  of 
this  he  was  ftill  more  convinced,  as  he  felt, 
by  chance,  in  the  pocket  of  his  new  clothes, 
and  found  a  leathern  purfe  ftored  with 
twelve  fine  new  dollars,  andfix  mining  pieces 
©fgold.    He  had  never  in  his  life  been  the 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  pr 


pofTeflbr  of  fo  large  a  fum ;  his  joy  was, 
therefore,  very  great,  and  if  his  confidence 
whifpered  him  that  he  ought  iiol  to  keep  the 
devil's  money,  his  inclination  to  it  perfuaded 
him,  on  the  other  hand,  that  one  piece  of  it 
offered  to  the  church,  when  he  returned  to 
his  native  country,  would  propi.iate  the 
whole  fin.  The  power  of  the  forcerer  was 
alfo  become  lefs  terrible  to  him,  lince  he 
found  that  he  and  his  colleagues  fled  directly 
on  his  uttering  an  exorcifm.  But  then  again 
reflection  painted  to  him,  in  ftrong  colours, 
the  danger  of  flaying  any  longer  in  this  en- 
chanted country.  A  beautiful  female  and  a 
large  fum  of  money  are  fnares,  thought  he, 
that  will  conduct  me  foon  to  the  abyfs  which 
he  has  prepared  for  me,  and  then  forrow  and 
repentance  will  be  too  late. 

The  importance  of  thefe  confideratioris 
confirmed  Wolfgang  in  his  intention  of  going 
to  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal's  caftle  ;  and  if 
he  found  him,  as  he  had  reafon  to  believe  he 
was,  in  league  with  the  forcerer,  to  get  pof- 
feffion,  by  lbme  artifice,  oi*  his  own  clothes, 
and,  above  all  things,  of  his  paflports,  and 
then  to  fly  away  by  night. 

Amidft  thefe  projects  and  refolutions  he 
had  reached  the  end  of  the  plain,  and  come 
to  the  borders  of  a  wood,  into  which  he  did 


92  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


not  much  like  to  enter  at  this  late  hour  ;  but 
yet  the  dread  of  being  purfued,  and  fooner 
difcovered  in  the  open  country,  determined 
him,  at  laft,  to  give  the  preference  to  the 
former.  The  moon  was  now  going  down, 
and  his  fears  increafing  with  the  increafmg 
darknefs  ;  and  the  thicknefs  of  the  under- 
wood making  it  difficult  for  him  to  advance, 
he  threw  himfelf  down  under  a  tree,  there  to 
await  the  dawn  of  day.  Anxiety  would  not 
fuffer  him  to  fleep  ;  every  little  noife,  even  a 
falling  leaf,  was  magnified  by  his  terrors  into 
a  fubjecl;  of  alarm,  that  kept  him  conftantly 
on  the  watch. 

As  the  firft  rays  of  the  fun  illuminated  the 
country,  he  rofe  from  his  hard  bed,  and,  in 
hopes  of  finding  a  road,  flole,  like  a  frighten- 
ed roe,  to  the  end  of  the  wood,  and  looked  to- 
wards the  open  plain  which  lay  before  him. 
He  foon  ftarted  back  trembling,  then  rub- 
bed his  eyes,  and  looked  again,  and  trembled 
mil  more  violently.  Willingly  would  he 
have  perfuaded  himfelf  that  he  had  feen 
wrong,  but  the  third  time  that  he  ventured 
to  look  confirmed  his  terror. 

The  fatal  houfe,  from  which  he  had  not 
been  able  to  get  away  the  day  before,  was 
now  directly  over  againft  him.  "  Am  I 
then  condemned  everlaftingly,"  he  cried  out 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  93 


at  Iaft,  "  to  wander  about  this  forcerer's 
houfe  !  What  have  I  done,  that  I  mud  go 
headlong  into  the  fnare  which  he  has  fpread 
for  my  ruin  ?  Bat  if,"  added  he  refolutely, 
44  all  die  powers  of  hell  unite  to  lead  me  into 
this  enchantment,  I  will  yet,  as  long  as  it  is 
poffible,  wreftle  againli  the  devilifh  tempta- 
tion !"  Armed  with  this  refolution,  he  turn- 
ed quick  about,  and  pre  (Ted,  on  the  contrary 
fide,  through  the  bufhes  into  the  wood. 


CHAP.  VIII. 


.A  FOOT  PATH,  at  which  Wolfgang 
foon  arrived,  feemed,  by  his  view  of  it,  to 
wind  down  the  hill  as  if  it  would  carry  him 
far  from  the  houfe.  Pleafed  with  this  profpec~l 
he  inftantly  ilruck  into  it,  and,  after  fome 
time,  was  fo  fortunate  as  to  come  to  the  high 
road,  where  he  had  not  proceeded  many 
Heps  before  he  faw  a  carriage,  at  a  little  dif- 
tance,  coming  towards  him.  To  efcape  this 
he  would,  with  all  his  heart,  have  run  to  ei- 
ther fide  of  the  wood,  to  hide  himfelf  among 
the  trees  ;  but,  before  he  could  notice  it,  a 


94  The  Mountain  Cottager v 


clog,  who  ran  with  the  carriage,  came  bark- 
ing after  him,  and  detained  him,  by  bringing 
to  his  mind  the  yefterday's  fimilar  adventurer- 
He  endeavoured,  in  vain,  to  keep  him  off, 
for  his  eagernefs  to  follow  him  was  not  to  be 
fubdued,  and  had  juft  taken  up  fome  Hones, 
to  drive  him  away,  if  it  was  poffible,  as  the 
coach  drove  pail  him. 

"  Heavens !  that  is  the  Signor V  cried  a 
Female  Voice,  "  Papa,  the  Signor  is  here  IP1 

"  Hold !"  cries  a  bass  Voice,  "  Hold!"  The 
carriage  flopped,  and  inftantly  out  fprang  the 
Baron  von  Tiefenthal  and  Louifa. 

Baron.  "  It  is  fortunate  for  me  that  I 
have  met  with  you,  for  it  is  entirely  on  your 
account  that  I  was  now  going  to  vifit  the 
lady,  whofe  charms  have  made  you  quite 
forget  your  fir  ft  and  fincere  friends.  I  could 
not  have  brought  myfelf  to  do  this,  if  I  had 
not  confidered  it  as  certain,  that  the  crafty 
Gountefs  had  exprefsly  ftipulated  with  you 
never  to  come  to  my  cattle  again,  a.nd  there- 
fore thought  this  the  only  means  I  mould 
have  of  delivering  to  you  myfelf  the  packet 
you  left  at  my  houfe,  which,  I  imagined, 
might  contain  matters  of  importance,  and 
of  feeing  you  once  more.  Tnefe  being  the 
only  obje&s  of  my  vifit,  this  unexpected 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  95 


meeting  gives  me  great  pleafure,  as  T  can  ful- 
fil them  here.  I  mud  own  to  you,  at  the  fame 
time,  that  it  gives  me  great  concern  to  have 
loll  you  fo  loon.  I  had  indulged  plealing 
dreams  of  the  future- -but  they  are  paft  :  I 
am  awakened,  and  perceive  cleady  that 
dreams  are  not  always  folSHed.™ 

Wolfgang  would  have  let  the  Baron  fpeak 
for  an  houi  if  he  had  choien  it,  without  in- 
terrupting him,  as  he  did  not  underfland  his 
difcourfe,  and  had  riot  courage  to  afk  for  an 
explanation  of  it,  as  the  rn^etmg  him  in  the 
wood,  in  this  manner,  appeared  to  him  like 
enchantment.  The  Baron  was  now  filen,t 
expecting  his  anfwer ;  but  Wolfgang  Hood, 
with  the  two  great  irones  in  his  hand,  which 
he  had  feized  to  defend  himfelf  againft  tfaio 
dog,  with  (taring  eyes,  and  not  fpeaking  a 
word,  awaiting  the  moment  in  which  Tiefen- 
thal,  according  to  his  promde,  would  deliver 
him  his  property,  the  object,  at  prefent,  of 
all.  his  withes.  *• 

Louifa,  at  length,  broke  this  filence.  She 
was  drefled  to-day  more  advantageouily  than 
ever  ;  and  a  more  attentive  obierver  than 
Wolfgang  in  his  prefent  fituation  could  be, 
mult  have  noticed  that  this  was  done  pur- 
pofely.  A  light  flraw  hat,  which  appeared, 
by  mere  accident,  to  be  put  on  fide  ways, 


96  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


difcovered  her  light  hair  falling  in  natural 
curls.  This  hat,  it  is  true,  rather  hid  the 
languishing  right  eye  of  the  fair  Louifa,  but 
then  it  gave  to  the  left  a  more  extenfive 
range  for  its  operations.  The  frelh  morning 
air  had  overfpread  her  face  with  an  agreeable 
colour,  which  was  yet  more  heightened  by 
the  contrail  of  her  entirely  white  drefs. 
Thus  dangeroufly  equipped,  fhe  flood  now 
before  Wolfgang,  and  <hut  out  every  other 
pro  pe6t  from  his  e}es.  u  Signor,"  me  faid 
coaxin-  ly,  and  took  his  hand  which  fhe  held 
v/rrh  both  her's,  "  i  have  alfo  abundant  rea- 
fon  to  complain  of  your  leaving  us  fo  abrupt- 
ly, i  alfo  dreamt,  like  my  father,  of  enjoying 
your  agreeable  and  inllru&ive  converfation 
for  a  long  time.  1  hoped  that  you  would 
fcompenfate  to  my  good  father  the  lofs  of  his 
fen,  by  fucceeding  to  his  place.  All  thefe 
charming  profpects  are  now  vanifhed.  My 
father  mourns  anew,  and  I  have  no  more  a 
brother  !  With  you,  dear  Signor,  it  certainly 
remains  to  revive  our  Lopes  !  What  the  Ba- 
ron would  not  venture  to  do,  I,  as  a  woman 
may,  with  more  right  to  expect,  atleaft  with 
more  hopes  oi  fuccefs.  As,  perhaps,  it  is 
not  mere  chance  that  has  brought  us  together 
fo  unexpectedly,  and  as  the  pre  fence  of  the 
certainly  charming  Gountefs  does  not  anni- 
hilate all  the  force  of  my  petition,  I  venture 
boldly  to  prels  you,  to  entreat  of  you  to  re- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  97 


turn  with  us,  to  live  with  us,  to  command 
ourhoufe,  our  fortune,  as  the  matter  of  them 
(pressing  his  hand  softly,  and  looking  lan- 
guishing in  his  eyes.)  I  fhall,  certainly,  do 
eveiy  thing  in  my  power  to  make  your  flay 
with  us  as  agreeable  as  poflible." 

Louifa  paufed,  and  Tiefenthal,  who  flood 
there  full  of  expectation,  like  a  General  who 
has  fent  the  flower  of  his  troops  againft  the 
valiant  foe,  was  flartled  and  grew  pale  as  he 
found  all  his  hopes  difappointed,  himfelf  and 
his  army  totally  defeated  by  Wolfgang's  an- 
fwer. 

a  I  regret,"  faid  the  latter  ftammering,  u  I 
regret,  with  all  my  heart,  that  I  am  not  de- 
fending of  your  kind  invitation,  and  cannot 
accept  of  it.  Circumftances,  that  I  am  not 
able  to  relate,  conftrain  me  to  leave  this 
country  as  faft  as  pomble  ;  and  I  was  actual- 
ly walking  this  way,  in  order  to  fetch  my 
fmall  ftock  of  clothes  and  the  reft  of  my 
things,  and  then  forever  to  bid  it  farewell !" 

Louifa  ventured  a  new  attack.  "  Well 
then,"  flie  cried  out,  "  you  fhall  keep  your 
refolution  thus :  you  faid  you  were  coming 
to  us,  therefore,  to  expedite  your  purpofe, 
get  into  our  carriage.    I  allure  you  we  fhall 


I 


98 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


be  very  foon  at  the  caftle.  Come  then,  Sig- 
nor  !  come  I"  ( drawing  him  towards  her.  J 

Wolfgang.  M  I  rnufi: — I  can — I  entreat 
moil  humbly — The  Baron  von  Tiefenthal 
had  the  kindnefs  to  promife,  that  he  would 
deliver  me  my  packet  here.  I  beg,  there- 
fore, very  much — very  earneftly — " 

Louisa  (interrupting  him.)  No  !  no  !  Pa- 
pa, do  not  give  it  to  him  !  The  Signor  lhall 
not  have  his  way  in  every  thing ;  he  lhall,  at 
leaft,  vifit  us  once  more  !" 

The  Baron  von  Tiefenthal,  who  read  a 
refufal  of  this  invitation  in  Wolfgang's  refo- 
lute  mien,  thought  it  belt  to  make  his  retreat 
in  good  order,  and,  if  poilible,  to  retire  with 
fome  booty.  "  What  figniiies  all  this  ?"  he 
fa  id  to  Lou  i  fa  ;  "  if  the  Signor  will  not  grant 
us  the  honour  of  a  vifit  willingly,  we  have  no 
right  to  conltrain  him  to  it.  Here,  Sir,  f  to 
him  J  is  the  packet  which  contains  all  that 
you  left  at  my  houfe.  My  fervant  will  carry 
it  after  you  to  the  Countefs  von  M — 's  callle, 
for  that  you  are  refolved,  as  you  alien,  to 
leave  this  country,  I  do  not  at  all  believe. " 

Wolfgang.  "  The  event  will  convince  you 
of  it.    My  parcel  1  lhall  carry  from  hence 

mylelL,? 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  99 


Baron.  "  You  are  mafter  of  your  actions; 
What  I  propofed,  was  merely  on  account  of 
the  appearance  ;  but  as  it  would  be,  perhaps, 
impeding  your  purpofe,  I  defift  from  preffmg 
it  arn-  farther  ( he  gives  him  the  packet.)  My 
daughter  has  ventured  to  add  to  this  parcel 
ibme  trifles  made  by  her  own  hand.  I  hope 
that  you  will  not  defpife  them.' 

Wolfgang  ( with  the  packet  under  his 
arm.  J  a  Certainly  not,  I  thank  you  alfo  for 
all  the  favours  you  have  fliewn  me,  and  would 
yet  farther  have  fliewn  me.  Were  it  pofiible  i 
fhould  be  the  greater!  fool  in  the  world,  if  I 
did  not  accept  your  offers.  But — you  know 
every  thing  perhaps  I" 

Louisa  fin  a  very  wheedling  manner.) 
"  Signor,  you  will  come  with  us  !" 

Baron.  u  Do  not  prefs  the  Signor  any 
more,  my  daughter  ;  he  has  explainedhimfelf 
very  fufficiently.  Impoffibilities  we  muft  not 
afK  ;  no  longer  indulge  hopes  that  cannot  be 
fulfilled.  Farewell,  Signor!  Fain- — —but 
every  wifh  mall  be  from  henceforth  fupprefs- 
ed  !  Only  one  petition  I  have  yet  to  make 
to  you,  and  this  I  hope  confidently  that  you 
will  grant.  Prefent  me  with  fome  little  re- 
membrance of  you.' 


jee  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

Wolfgang.  "  Aik  any  thing  within  my 
ability,  and  I  will  promife  it  to  you  uncondi- 
tionally." 

Baron.  "  Prefent  me  with  the  two  ft  ones 
-which  you  hold  in  your  hands.' ' 

Wolfgang,  who  now  fir  ft  noticed  that  he 
yet  held  them,  cried  out,  full  of  aftonifhment, 

M  How  !  thefe  two  Rones  !" 

Baron.  "  Yes,  Signor ;  they  will  be  a  re- 
membrance to  me.  I  mall  always  think  on 
you  when  I  fee  them/' 

Louisa.  "  I  fhall  alfo  often  look  at  them, 
and  be  reminded  of  your  hard  heart." 

Baron.  "  And  you  will  even  refufe  me 
this  little — to  you  fo  very  little  expenfive  re- 
membrance V 

Wolfgang  (quite  confounded.)  "  If  you 
are  really  in  earned,  and  not  as  I  have  ima- 
gined in  fport,  they  are  your's,  with  the  moft 
fincere  wilh  that  I  could  convert  them  into 
gold,  to  give  them  fome  value  in  your  eyes." 

The  Baron  von  Tiefentha!  accepted  thefe 
ftones  with  much  apparent  fati station  ;  and 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  101 


v/hifpered  to  his  daughter,  as  he  handed  her 
into  the  carriage,  to  alk  for  a  fimilar  remem- 
brance. Louila  fulfilled  her  father's  com- 
mands, and  the  ftill  more  aftonifhed  Wolf- 
gang made  halte  to  gratify  her  wifh.  It  had 
rained,  and  in  order  not  to  foil  her  hand,  he 
looked  for  feme  clean  pebbles,  which  he  pre- 
fented  to  her,  with  the  wiih  that  they  might 
become  precious  itones  to  ornament  her  hair. 
Louifa  received  the  prefent  and  the  wifh  with 
many  handfome  acknowledgments,  andTie- 
fenthal  once  more  repeated  his  regret  at  be- 
ing fo  foon,  lb  unexpectedly,  feparated  from 
his  new  friend.  But  as  Wolfgang  made  no 
other  anfwer  than  by  a  iilent  fhrug  of  the 
moulders,  there  was  nothing  left  for  the  Ba  - 
ron to  do,  but  to*  order  the  coachman  to 
drive  on  ;  and  the  man,  giving  his  hones  a 
whip,  the  carriage  Was  foon  out  of  fight.  . 

Happy  as  a  poor  turner  who  has  obtained 
pardon  at  the  place  of  execution,  Wolfgang 
now  breathed  freely,  and  ltepping  alkie  into 
the  thicket,  began  to  unpack  his  parcel. 
He  found  there  his  Savoyard  jacket,  his 
palTport,  fome  clean  linen,  his  wares,  and  at 
lail  Lotrifk's  portrait  very  beautifully  painted 
in  miniature,  and  let  with  pearls.  Well 
pleafed  with  the  languishing  maiden,  who 
appeared  to  fmile  at  him,  he  looked  at  the 
picture  for  fome  time ;  but  when  he  coafider- 

I  2 


102         The  Mountain  Cottager. 


ed  that  fhe  was  certainly  the  daughter  of  a 
forcerer  who  perfecuted  him,  he  cafe  it  away, 
and  began  to  change  his  drefs.  He  foon  be- 
came the  Savoyard  again,  with  his  hatchels 
and  moufe-traps  upon  his  back ;  and  thank- 
ing his  Creator  for  having  refcued  him  fo 
happily  from  the  threatening  danger,  threw 
his  green  clothes  into  a  bum  ;  but  the  purfe  - 
which  he  found  in  them  he  could  not  refolve 
on  parting  with,  the  fum  of  money  it  contain- 
ed leeming  to  him  too  great  to  renounce. 

With  joy  and  alacrity  he  now  afcended 
the  hill,  and  faw,  from  the  top  of  it  a  village 
lying  on  the  left  in  the  valley,  which  he  hop- 
ed, by  the  look  ot  it,  was  not  that  where  he 
had  been  made  a  prifoner  the  day  before. 
His  hunger,  which  had  been  for  lbme  time 
very  confide  rable,  increafed  on  the  fight  of  the 
fmoaking  chimnies,  and  he  refolved  to  gothi- 
ther  to  fatisfy  it,  and  then  proceed  on  his 
way  into  Saxony.  An  agreeable  path,  fhaded 
with  young  beeches,  feeming  to  promife  him 
a  nearer  way  to  the  village;  he  turned  into 
it,  but  had  not  gone  far,  before  he  found  him- 
felf  furrounded  with  high  rocks,  and  looking 
around  him,  trembling  between  hope  and 
fear,  lie  heard  a  noife,  and  almoit  imme- 
diately faw  the  Countefs  dreffed  as  a  pea- 
fa  at  girl. 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  103 


Maiden.  "  Art  thou  here  at  laflr,  dear 
Savoyard ;  I  began  to  doubt  whether  I 
mould  ever  fee  thee.  Thanks  be  to  the  hap- 
py prognostic  of  my  heart  which  drew  me 
irreliftibly  hither  !  More  than  a  month  I  have 
fought  thee  here  every  clay,  and  have  often 
repented  the  hours  that  I  have  waited  for 
thee  in  vain  ;  but  now  as  I  find  thee  at  laft,  I 
mall  repent  no  more.  Thou  art  welcome 
(she  reaches  him  her  hand  J  thou  art  hand- 
fome,  thou  pleafeft  me  well  I  Wilt  thou  not 
accept  my  hand  IV 

MfyfgQng  (falling  on  his  knee,  and  hold- 
ing up  his  hands  to  her.  J  "  Sorcerefs,  I 
conjure  you  to  defift,  and  let  me  continue 
my  way  in  peace  and  quiet." 

Maiden.  u  I  would  willingly  grant  thee 
thy  firft  requeft,  as  thou  canit  entreat  fo  well 
if  it  were  not  quite  contrary  to  my  purpofet 
I  wifli  todetain  thee  a  long  time  with  us,  to 
go  with  thee  every  where,  to  pafs  away  the 
time  to  thee,  to  tend  and  take  care  of 
thee." 

Wolfgang.  u  I  thank  you,  I  heartily 
thank  you  for  all  your  kind  intentions  ;  but 
I  fhould  thank  you  much  more  iincerely,  if 
you  would  let  me  go  on  unmolibfted." 


to 4  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Maiden.  "  Thou  difagreeable  man,  thou  ! 
then  I  pleafe  thee  not  ?  then  thou  wilt  not 
ftay  with  us  ?  but  I  know  better,  thou  fhalt 
notefcape  me." 

Wolfgang.  "  There  !  ( throwing  his  purse 
to  her  J  there,  take  every  thing  that  I  have  ! 
what  perhaps  may  prevent  my  flight.  Take 
it,  and  let  me  go  in  quiet." 

While  the  maiden  opened  the  purfe,  and 
v/as  looking  at  the  gold  and  filver  with  great 
delight,  Wolfgang  feized  the  favourable  mo- 
ment, and,  urged  on  by  anxiety,  clambered 
up  the  rock.  When  fhe  looked  up  to  thank 
him,  and  faw  him  already  far  from  her,  fhe 
ran  after  him,  crying  out,  "Stop,  dear  Sa- 
voyard, flop !  I  have  much  more  to  fay  to 
thee  !  thou  mufl  go  with  me."  But  the  cry 
of  the  hounds  does  not  increafe  the  fpeed  of 
the  frightened  hare,  more  than  this  cry  that 
of  the  flying  Wolfgang.  He  bounded  up  the 
rock,  and  foon  gaining  the  fummit,  precipi- 
tated himfelf  down  on  die  other  fide,  the 
breathlefs  maiden  purfuing  him  all  the  time 
with  her  utmoft  fpeed. 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  105 


C   H   A   P.  X. 


A 

S  it  may  perhaps  be  a  long  time  before 
the  poor  maiden  overtakes  the  flying  youth, 
or  may  even  be  poflible  that  fhe  quite  loft 
him  in  the  thick  underwood,  I  will,  in  the 
meantime,  relate  another  hiftory  for  the 
amufement  of  my  readers,  which  at  firft  fight 
may  appear  to  be  out  of  its  place  here,  and 
to  be  as  diftinet  from  this  as  any  other  hifto- 
ry in  the  world ;  but  which  they  will  foon 
perceive  to  be  very  properly  introduced,  as 
having  a  particular  connection  with  the  ftory 
recorded  in  the  preceding  chapters. 


Ten  years  previous  to  the  adventures  of 
our  Savoyard,  there  lived,  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  Fichtelberg,  a  fturdy  young  vil- 
lage ale-houfekeeper,  who  had  formerly  tra- 
velled in  many  foreign  countries  as  a  butcher. 


lo6  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


but  returned  home,  on  the  death  of  his  fa- 
ther to  take  pofleffion,  as  heir,  of  this  ale-houfe 
where  the  old  man  had  gained  an  honed  live- 
lihood. 

He  married  a  handfome  young  wife,  and 
lived  jovially  with  her.    Bis  only  employ- 
ments the  whole  day  were,  calling  to  her  to> 
go  to  the  cellar  when  his  guefts  wanted  beer, 
and  fitting  and  drinking  with  them.    He  left 
the  care  of  his  farm  to  his  fervants,  and  never 
faw  his  corn  or  his  beafts  before  he  carried, 
them  to  the  market-town  to  be  fold,  from, 
whence  he  never  failed  to  come  home,  intoxi- 
cated. 

That  fuch  alehoufe-keeping,  and  fuch 
farming,  could  only  end  in  ruin,  my  readers 
of  any  fenfe  will  already  have  forefeen.  I 
fhall  therefore  only  add  as  a  warning  to  the 
imprudent,  that  at  the  end  of  three  years,  the 
ineffeclual  dunning  of  his  creditors  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  feizure  and  fale  of  his  property  ; 
and  that  Jacob,  for  fo  was  this  diforderly  holt 
called,  being  frill  purfued  by  many  difcon- 
tented  claimants,  cut  himfelf  a  flick  from  the 
next  tree,  and  with  thislaft  remains  of  his  he- 
reditary portion,  wandered  once  more  into 
the  wide  world.  He  left  his  wife  and  child 
as  fecurity  to  his  creditors,  who  were  really 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  i0j 


fo  companionate  as  to  allow  them  a  mainte- 
nance. 

Entirely  unufed  to  labour,  and  wanting 
fubliftence,  he  begged  his  way  into  Italy  as 
a  Pilgrim,  and  laughed  at  the  pious  zeal  of  the 
ibols,  who  fupported  him  in  his  holy  purpofe 
with  plentiful  alms,  while  he  was  in  reality  a 
heretic.  Before  he  reached  Rome,  he  fell  in 
with  ibme  banditti  who  were  going  thither  in 
company  to  the  Jubilee.  The  ability  of  the 
man,  his  ftrength,  his  intrepidity,  induced 
this  troop  to  accept  him  as  a  member,  and  ini- 
tiate him  into  their  myfteries. 

Jacob  was  foon  one  of  the  mo  ft  adventu- 
rous and  formidable  of  the  Italian  banditti. 
No  one  executed  a  murder,  or  any  defperate 
undertaking,  with  fuch  cold  blooded  refolu- 
tion.  He  was  foon  renowned  amongft  his 
brethren  for  his  great  achievements,  and 
wherever  any  hazardous  enterprife  was  de- 
termined on,  however  diltant,  the  German 
Jacob  was  conftantly  feat  for,  who  for  double 
pay  always  undertook  and  accomplished  the 
deed  to  the  great  increafe  of  his  lame.  By 
theie  means  it  was  no  wonder,  that,  notwith- 
ftanding  a  life  of  pleafure  and  expence,  he 
foon  amafted  a  handfome  fortune. 


io8         The  Mountain  Cottager. 


His  numerous  murders  having,  at  length, 
created  a  general  alarm  in  the  country,  the 
officers  of  jullice  were  every  where  on  the 
watch  for  him  ;  and,  as  the  defcription  of  his 
perfon  was  circulated  throughout  Italy,  he 
refolved  to  avoid  the  florm  which  threatened 
him,  and  till  it  was  fubfided  again,  to  return 
into  Germany. 

After  feven  long  years,  when  his  wife, 
wearied  with  fruitlefs  forrow  and  expectati- 
ons, had  given  him  up  for  loft ;  when  his 
neighbours  and  acquaintance  never  hoped  to 
fee  him  again,  he  arrived,  drelfed  as  an  opu- 
lent batcher,  with  a  handfome  cart  and  two 
fine  liorfes,  at  the  public  houfe  of  his  native 
yillage.  All  the  inhabitants,  who  foon  col- 
lected about  him,  were  aftonifhed  at  his  ref- 
peclable  appearance,  envied  his  wife,  whom 
they  had  before  compaflionated,  and  were 
quite  ftupified  withfurprife  when  the  often- 
tatloLis  Jacob  poured  out  a  great  bag  of  fe- 
quins  upon  the  table,  and  calling  to  his  yet 
Vnfatisfied  creditors,  paid  them  the  principal 
and  intereft  of  his  debt  with  friendly  thanks. 

The  whole  country  foon  refounded  with 
Jacob's  return  .ud  great  good  fortune.  Every 
one  was  amazed  at  it,  and  every  one  alked 
how  he  had  ac  quired  it ;  but  no  one  could 
give  any  account  of  this,  becaufe  Jacob  him- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  iocj 


(elf  anfwered  every  queftion  of  the  kind  with 
a  myilerious  laugh,  or  yet  more  myfte'rious 
ftirug  of  his  moulders.  Often,  when  he  ge- 
neroufly  paid  the  reckoning  at  a  drinking 
bout  for  his  former  friends  and  neighbours, 
and  thus  awakened  their  curiofity  anew,  they 
importuned  him  to  tell  them  by  what  means 
he  had  made  his  fortune.  And  once,  when 
the  alehoufe-keeper  of  a  neighbouring  vil- 
lage prelled  him  more  ftrongly  than  all  the 
others,  and  directly  taxed  him  with  having 
ftolen  it,  he  wifely  refolved  to  miflead  this 
man  from  his  but  too  juft  and  and  alarming- 
idea,  and  to  give  him  one  lefs  dangerous  : 
u  Neighbour,"  he  faid  to  him  as  they  parted, 
M  in  order  to  obviate  your  unjufl  fufpicious,  I 
will  relate  my  whole  hiftory  to  you,  which  I 
have  not  yet  related  to  any  one.  You  may 
perhaps  at  fome  future  time  derive  the  great- 
eft  advantage  from  it,  and  will  then  own 
with  gratitude  that  I  have  rewarded  you 
with  good  for  evil.  Come  to  me  early  to- 
morrow morning,  and  then,  to  you  confufi- 
on,  you  mall  hear  every  thing." 

The  curious  hoft  came  to  Jacob  the  next 
morning  ;  and  firft  begging  pardon  for  his  in- 
confiderate  prattle  the  day  before,  then 
claimed  the  performance  of  his  promife.  "  I 
will  keep  to  it  as  a  man  of  honour,"  faid  ja- 


K 


iio  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


cob,  u  if  you  will  previoully  agree  to  two 
conditions." 

Host.  "  I  will  fwear  to  whatever  you  re- 
quire." 

Jacob.  "  You  mull  not  repeat  to  any  one 
what,  for  your  fake,  I  ihall  now  difcover  to 
you." 

Host.    u  I  fwear  i" 

Jacob.  "  As  you  will  be  fatisfied  by  my 
narrative,  of  the  injuilice  of  your  flanderous 
fufpicions,  you  muft  retraft  them  to-day  at 
the  alehoufe,  and  fwear,  in  the  pre  fence  of 
all  there,  that  you  are  now  fully  convinced 
that  I  acquired  my  fortune  in  an  honeft  up- 
right manner." 

Host.    "  I  will !  I  will  !  now  proceed." 

Jacob  then  began  the  following  hiftory, 
which  he  had  deviled  long  before  :  and  which 
as  my  readers,  after  the  above  relation,  will 
know  at  once  was  entirely  fabulous. 

"  Neighbour,"  he  faid,  u  you  will  recoi- 
led that  people  often  come  into  our  country 
out  of  Italy,  who  deal  in  moufe-traps  and 
hatchels,  or  fometimes  bring  dancing  mar- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  in 


wots.  You  muft  know  alfo-  that  under  this 
pretence  thefe  people  ileal  to  our  Fichtel- 
fcerg,  and  having,  from  their  fuperior  know- 
ledge, the  means  of  difcovering  the  treafure 
concealed  there,  they  return  home  laden 
with  great  wealth,  and  laugh  heartily  at  us 
ftupid  Germans." 

Hoot,  M  That  to  be  fure  I  know  very  well 
I  have  a&ually  feen  one  of  them  ftealing 
about  here.  My  father  was  alive  at  that 
time,  and  was  with  me  when  I  met  him  in 
the  field ;  he  told  me  then,  that  one  of  thefe 
Italian  hatchel-men  had  faid  once  to  his  fa- 
ther, we  were  very  ftupid  people  that  we 
did  not  make  a  better  ufe  of  the  treafure 
which  was  laying  about  here  every  where. 
He  had  often,  he  added,  feen  a  heidiman 
throw  a  itone  after  a  cow  which  was  worth 
twice  the  value  of  the  cow  itfelf.  My  grand- 
father entreated  the  liranger  to  teach  him 
the  art  of  finding  out  thefe  treafures.  He  ap- 
pointed him  therefore  to  meet  him  the  next 
day  upon  a  rock;  but  as  my  grandfather  came 
there,  he  was  terrified  at  the  fight  of  a  great 
black  he-goat,  and  ran  back  to  his  houfe, 
and  could  not  recover  himfelf  for  a  long 
time." 

Jacob*  "  It  is  very  agreeable  to  me  that 
you  are  already  fo  well  informed  on  this  fub- 


Ii2  The  Mountain  Cottager, 


jedl,  as  I  can  for  that  reafon  go  on  with  my 
hillory  without  digrefhon.  When  I  kept  the 
alehoufe  in  the  village  ;  an  Italian  hatchel- 
man  came  to  me  one  eevmng  complaining  of 
a  violent  cholic,  and  begged  for  a  lodging. — I 
pitied  him,  and  out  of  true  Chriftian  charity 
Jet  him  want  for  nothing.  Six  weeks  he  lay 
ill  at  my  houfe,  and  I  took  care  of  him  all 
that  time  without  any  recompence.  As  he 
recovered  his  health,  he  exprefTed  the  utmoft 
gratitude  to  me.  I  I  mall  never  forget  what 
you  have  dene  for  me,'  he  faid,  at  parting  ; 
4  mould  any  misfortune  ever  befall  you  in 
Germany,  then  come  to  Rome,  and  vifit  the 
church  of  St.  Peter.  We  mall  certainly  meet 
there,  and  it  will  be  a  pleafure  to  me  to  re- 
ceive and  entertain  you  in  this  manner,' — At 
the  time  I  laughed  at  this  odd  invitation  ;  but 
when  my  creditors  feized  all  my  property, 
and  were  afterwards  continually  teazing  me, 
then  it  came  into  my  mind ;  and  as  I  had  no- 
thing more  to  lofe  here,  I  refolved  to  try  how- 
far  I  might  confide  in  this  man's  fair 
fpeeches. 

"  I  begged  my  way  to  Rome,  and  vifited 
St.  Peter's  Church  every  day,  but  never  met 
the  Italian,  and  had  at  laft  quite  forgotten  his 
promife.  I  was  diking  alms  once  in  a  broad 
ftreet  not  far  from  thence,  when  a  gentleman 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  113 


looked  out  of  the  window  of  a  great  palace, 
made  a  fignal  to  me,  and  immediately  lent 
a  fervant  down  to  conduct  me  to  him.  I  was 
carried  through  many  ftately  rooms,  the 
fplendour  and  beauty  of  which  quite  dazzled 
me,  and  came  at  laft  into  a  cabinet,  where  a 
gentleman  in  a  brocaded  night-gown  fat  up- 
on a  fofa,  and  was  taking  fnuffout  of  a  gold- 
en box.  After  commanding  the  fervant  firft 
to  reach  me  a  chair,  and  then  to  withdraw ; 
4  Sit  down,'  he  faid  to  me  ;  4  fit  down,  good 
Jacob,  you  muft  be  much  tired  with  your 
long  journey.  How  does  your  wife  ?  how  is 
your  child  ? — I  flood  perfectly  aftoniihed  at 
this  fpeech,  and  could  not  imagine  how  it 
could  pofllbly  be,  that  fo  fine  a  gentleman  at 
Rome  mould  know  me,  my  wife,  and  child. 

He  noticed  my  furprife,  and  afked  me, 
laughing,  if  I  then  really  did  not  know  him. 
i  No,'  faid  I,  trembling,  c  I  do  not  know  your 
Excellency.'  Without  faying  a  word  more, 
he  arofe,  and  left  the  room.  I  had  now  an 
opportunity  of  examining  the  cabinet,  which 
was  extremely  magnificent,  being  ornament- 
ed with  a  profufion  of  gold  and  (liver  veiTels 
of  various  kinds ;  and  I  was  tempted  more 
than  once,  to  put  one  of  them  at  leaft  into  my 
pocket. 

K  2 


114 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


"  After  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the 
door  opened  again,  and  the  poor  hatchel- 
man,  whom  I  once  lodged  in  my  houfe,  and 
had  now  fought  for  fo  long  in  vain  at  Rome, 
came  in.  He  was  in  the  fame  clothes  which 
he  wore  then,  and  had  hatchels  and  moufe- 
traps  upon  his  back.  4  Buy  a  hatchel  !  buy 
a  moufe-trap  H  he  cried,  as  he  walked  up  and 
down  the  room.  '  Well/  faid  he  at  laft,  as  I 
ftared  him  in  filence,  4  do  you  not  know  me 
yet  ?'  4  I  know  you  well,'  I  anfwered  ;  4  but 
how  you  come  here,  how  you  dare  venture 
into  this  room  to  walk  about,  and  cry  your 
wares,  is  a  queilion,  that,  with  the  helpof  all 
my  uriderllanding,  I  cannot  anfwer  to  my- 
felf.' — 4  But  I  will  explain  it  to  you  in  a  mo- 
ment,' he  replied. 

u  On  faying  this,he  began  to  undrefs  him- 
felf,  by  firfl  throwing  off  fome  falfe  hair 
which  he  had  upon  his  head ;  and  then  run- 
ning out  for  a  moment,  he  returned  in  his 
brocaded  night-gown.  4  Now  do  you  know 
me  ?'  he  faid  ;  4  now  do  you  believe  that  the 
moufe-trap  dealer  and  I  are  the  lame  per- 
fon  ?1 — 4 1  believe  it,  I  anfwered,  becaufe  my 
eyes  convince  me  of  it,  though  my  under- 
ftanding  is  ftill  inclined  to  contradicl  them.* 
*  It  ihall  foon  be  demonftrated  as  clearly  to 
that,  as  to  your  eyes,'  faid  he.  4  Sit  down  by 
me,  fit  down  ;  make  no  ceremony,  and  liflen 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  115 


to  me  patiently.  The  compaflion  which  you 
fo  difintereftedly  exerciied  towards  me  de- 
fences not  only  reward  but  confidence.  In 
the  lame  proportion  in  which  I  now  place 
confidence  in  you,  fhall  alio  be  your  re- 
ward.' 

4  I  arn  defcended  (he  continued)  from  a 
poor,  but  very  old  and  once  refpected  noble 
Italian  family.  My  father,  from  neceflity, 
ferved  in  an  inferior  office  under  the  Pope, 
and  when  he  died,  left  me  without  money, 
without  friends,  and  confequently  without 
any  other  profpecl  than  that  of  ftarving.  I 
am  not  afhamed  to  own  that,  like  you,  I 
once  alked  aims  in  the  ftreets  of  Rome  ;  and 
was  fed  for  fome  years  as  a  poor  fcholar, 
with  the  beggars'  broth  of  the  Capuchins. 
As  I  was  one  evening  fainting  with  hunger 
and  thirit,  begging  at  a  very  late  hour,  I  met 
a  hoary  old  man  with  a  knotty  flick  and  a 
little  lantern  in  his  hand.  He  held  the  light 
to  my  face,  and  examined  it  narrowly  for  a 
long  time,  and  then  commanded  me  to  follow 
him  in  a  folemn  manner.  I  mould  deviate 
too  much  from  the  purpofe  of  my  narrative, 
if  I  related  to  you,  circumftantially,  how  this 
fmgular  man,  by  degrees,  won  my  affecYions. 
He  provided  me  with  all  the  neceflaries  of 
life,  inftrufted  me  in  various  fciences,  and  at 
laft  took  me  into  his  houfe  :  He  was  in  Ihort 


ii  6  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

quite  a  father  to  me,  for  to  him  I  owe  all  my 
knowledge,  and  all  my  riches. 

'  As  he  grew  older  and  weaker,  he  taught 
me  the  rare,  but  in  Italy  not  quite  forgotten 
art,  of  difcovering  treafures  concealed  in  the 
earth  ;  and  of  difcerning,  in  fome  of  the  moft 
apparantly  common  Hones,  precious  Hones 
of  infinite  value.  As  he  had  always  afpired 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  higheft  fciences,  and 
flill  hoped  to  find  out  the  fecret  of  the  bal- 
fam  of  eternal' life,  he  had  but  feldom,  and 
only  in  cafes  of  neceffity,  made  ufe  of  this 
glorious  means  of  becoming  rich  with  very 
little  trouble.  He  died  without  having  at- 
tained his  object,  and  left  me  his  writings* 
his  inftruments,  and  a  moderate  fum  of  mo- 
ney. With  this  1  immediately  refolved  to 
travel  about  the  world,  and,  by  means  of  my 
ineftimable  art,  to  collect,  a  fufficient  fortune 
to  pafs  away  my  life  in  independence  and 
enjoyment. 

'  From  the  papers  of  my  fofter-father  I 
clearly  perceived,  that  the  German  Fichtel- 
berg  was  the  fpot  where  the  greatell  treafures 
lay  concealed  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth, 
and  that  this  hill  was  alfo  remarkable  for  a 
profufion  of  precious  ft  ones.  It  appeared 
likewife,  that  by  attending  to  the  proper  fea- 
fon  and  hour,  it  was  extremely  eafy  to  get 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


117 


pofieflion  of  a  portion  of  thefe  riches.  After 
the  example,  therefore,  of  many  others  who 
were  in  the  fecret,  and  who,  as  it  was  rela- 
ted in  thefe  manufcripts,  had  already  amaffed 
fortunes  there,  I  went  to  the  Fichtelberg  as 
a  hatchel  and  moufe-trap  dealer.  But  at 
your  houfe  I  mull  have  ended  my  life  with- 
out having  attained  my  purpofe,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  the  kindnefs  and  attention  of  your 
good  heart,  for  my  difeafe  was  extremely 
itubborn. 

4  I  fhall  now  recompenfe  you  for  the  dif- 
interefted  companion  you  exercifed  towards 
me  at  that  time.  I  would  willingly  have 
done  it  at  parting,  for  I  had  at  that  time 
great  wealth  in  my  power  ;  but  I  reared  to 
excite  fufpicions  in  your  neighbourhood  that 
might  prejudice  me  and  any  others  of  my 
countrymen  who  came  after  me,  and  thence 
prudently  refolved  to  defer  the  reward  till  a 
more  feafonabie  opportunity.  Without  hav- 
ing occafion  for  more  than  common  acute- 
nefs,  I  plainly  perceived  that  your  hufband- 
ry  went  on  miferably  ;  that  you  were  plun- 
dered by  your  fervants,  and  that  your  credi- 
tors would  ultimately  feize  all  your  proper- 
ty. On  that  account,  when  I  bade  you  fare- 
wel,  I  invited  you  to  Rome,  in  hopes  of  be- 
ing able  to  reward  you  there  without  creat- 
ing any  jealoufy  again  ft  you,  or  any  fufpici- 


3 1 8  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

on  againft  myfelf.  My  wifh  is  now  fulfilled- ; 
flay  with  me,  forget  yeur  ungrateful  country, 
and  be  happy  here  you  fhall  never  more 
feel  want,  but  have  every  thing  in  abun- 
dance.' 


C   H   A   P.  XL 


T 

HE  generous  Marquis  faithfully  per- 
formed his  promife.  I  lived  entirely  with 
him  ;  he  appointed  me  his  Mailer  of  the 
Horfe,  and  1  foon  became  his  principal  fa- 
vourite. When  any  one  wanted  to  foiicit  a 
favour  from  him,  they  applied  to  me ;  and  if 
I  gave  them  my  affiiiance,  they  were  certain 
of  fuccefs.  You  will  eafily  imagine  that 
this  kind  of  life  was  very  agreeable  to  me.  ;  I 
had  money  always  as  plenty  as  hay,  and 
took  many  opportunities  of  turning  it  to  a 
good  account.  I  mud  to  my  lhame  own  to 
you,  that  in  an  eternal  round  of  pleafure  I 
forgot  my  native  land,  and  every  thing  that 
I  had  left  behind  me ;  and  for  years  never 
thought  even  of  my  wire  and  child.  But  at* 
Jail  I  grew  tired  of  this  fcene  of  dilfipation, 


The  Mountain  Cottager,  1 1  jn 


and  began  to  be  very  frugal  and  fteady,  and 
to  think  often  of  my  poor  child  and  my  for- 
faken  wife.  I  became  in  fhort  fo  uneafy,  that 
frequently  I  was  not  able  to  conceal  my  tears 
from  my  benefactor. 

"  Several  times  he  enquired  the  caufe  of 
this  dejection  ;  and  when  I  could  no  longer 
withhold  it  from  him,  he  promifed  to  re- 
move it  immediately.  6  I  fee,'  he  faid, 
*  that  you  are  become  home-fick ;  I  cannot 
blame  you  for  it,  nor  am  I  furprifed  at  it,  for 
I  have  been  in  foreign  countries  myfelf, 
and  well  know  what  it  is  to  languifh  after 
one's  native  land.  I  love  you,  and  would 
willingly  have  you  always  with  me  ;  but  as 
rny  firft  wifli  is  to  promote  your  happinefs, 
I  will,  without  hefitation,  facrifice  my  incli- 
nation to  your's.  Come  to  me  at  the  fame 
hour  to-morrow-morning,  and  I  will,  in  the 
meantime,  take  care  to  provide  you  with  a 
comfortable  independence.'  I  left  him,  and 
no  day  in  my  life  ever  appeared  tome  fo  long 
as  this  ;  I  could  neither  eat  norfleepfor  joy, 
that  I  mould  foon  fee  my  wife  and  child 
again. 

"  I  was  with  the  Marquis  the  next  morn- 
ing before  the  appointed  hour,  and  found 
him  in  earned  converfation  with  his  eldeft 
fon.  4  Are  you  here  already,'  he  cried,  laugh- 


120  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

ing,  as  he  came  to  meet  me.  1  Your  hafte 
clearly  proves  that  I  was  not  deceived  in  my 
yefterday's  conjecture.  Go  in  peace  ;  and 
that  you  may  never  experience  any  want  in 
Germany,  take  this  bag  of  gold  with  you  ;  it 
contains  eight  thoufand  fequins,  which  I  hope 
will  be  fufficient  to  fupport  you  and  your 
wife  and  child  decently. 

"  You  may  readily  fuppofe,  neighbour, 
how  I  was  Itartled  at  fo  large  a  prefent.  I 
could  not  fpeak ;  I  threw  myfelf,  weeping, 
at  the  feet  of  my  benefactor,  and  knew  not 
how  to  exprefs  my  gratitude.  The  good  old 
man  raifed  me  up,  kindly  alluring  me  once 
more  that  he  would  never  ceafe  to  be  my 
friend ;  and  that  I  might  boldly  return  to 
him,  if  through  any  accident  I  was  again  re- 
duced to  diftrefied  circumftances.  The  young 
Marquis  then  putting  in,  faid, 1  Dear  Jacob, 
I  have  a  reciprocal  fervice  to  aik  of  you.  My 
father  has  revealed  to  me  to-day  that  I  muft 
foon  travel  into  Germany,  and  vilit  your  na- 
tive place.  There  is  yet  much  concealed 
treafure  remaining  there,  which  we  {land  in 
need  of  for  the  further  aggrandizement  of 
our  family.  1  mall  alfo  appear  in  the  cha- 
racter of  a  hatchel  and  moufe-trap  dealer, 
and  fearch  for  thefe  treafures.  Should  any 
misfortune  befal  me  there,  then,  for  the  fake 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  121 

of  my  father's  kindnefs,  be  you  my  friend, 
and  I  will  reward  it  to  your  children.' 

'  Dear,  dear  fon  of  my  great  benefactor  I' 
I  cried  out  quite  tranfported,  •  as  foon  as  you 
come  to  our  village,  put  up  at  my  houfe.  I 
will  attend  and  take  care  of  you  as  the  apple 
of  my  eye.  I  will  accompany  you  every 
where,  and  conduct  you  again  in  fafety  to 
the  arms  of  your  father.' 

*  Thanks  !  a    thoufand  thanks  for  your 
good  intentions,'  faid  the  Marquis,  4  but  my 
fon  cannot  take  advantage  of  them.  He  mule 
not,  during  his  journey,  go  to  the  houfe  of 
any  friend  or  acquaintance  ;  for  if  he  did,  the 
aim  of  it  would  be  loft.  You  cannot  do  him 
any  fervice  yourfelf ;  but  I  expect  from  your 
gratitude,  that  you  will  prepare  fome  kind- 
hearted  people  of  you  neighbourhood  to  be 
courteous  to  him,  and  foften  the  hatred  that 
moll  of  your  countrymen  bear  to  us  Italians. 
Endeavour  to  make  them  fenfible,  that  a 
flranger  may  often  be  able  to  reward  the 
flighted  fervice  a  thoufand  fold,  and  let  them 
underltand  that  we  are  actually  bound  to  do 
it.  Your  own  experience  mull  convince  you 
of  the  truth  of  what  I  fay.  You  undoubtedly 
know  fome  of  your  neighbours  whole  fadheft 
and  good  hearts  difpofe  them  to  be  benefi- 
cent towards  the  poor ;  name  them  to  my 
L 


T22 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 

o 


fon,  that  in  a  time  of  need  he  may  feek  fhel- 
ter  and  protection  with  them  ;  and  that  I  may 
thus  enjoy  the  greateft  pleafure  in  life, 
the  receiving  my  lbn  again  in  my  arms  in 
health.' 

"  I  promifed  to  do  what  he  required,  and 
named  to  him  all  thofe  on  whole  hospitality 
I  believed  he  might  rely  ;  and  he  wrote  their 
names  carefully  in  his  pocket-book. 
Amongft  them  I  mentioned  you,  neigh- 
bour ;  you  Hand  uppermoft,  and  mould 
he  find  it  neceflary,  he  will  come  to  you 
direaiy." 

Host.  "  How  !  is  it  pofllble  that  you 
thought  of  me  at  that  time  ?  That  you  wifh- 
ed  to  be  the  maker  of  my  fortune  ?  O  dear, 
dear  neighbour  !  God  reward  you  !*' 

Jacob.  P  Do  not  fpeak  till  I  have  ended. 
'Then  1  mall  certainly  expect  that  you  afk 
my  pardon,  and  declare  me  an  honeil 
man.5' 

Hmf.  «  I  mall  do  both  moft  fmcerely." 

Jacob.  "  I  was  obliged,  finally,  to  promife 
the  moil  rigid  fecrecy.  I  was  made  to  fwear 
that  I  would  not  difcover  to  any  one  the  in- 
tended journey  of  the  young  Marquis,  became 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  ia-3 


then  there  would  be  a  number  of  interefted 
perfons,  who  would  ihew  him  beneficence 
merely  from  felfifh  views  ;  and  thus  the 
riches  which  he  collected  here  would  not  be 
fufFicientfor  the  repayment  of  thefe  obligati- 
ons. Judge  now  yourfelf,  neighbour,  what 
a  ftruggle  it  halt  coft  me,  to  become  as  it 
we  x,  perjured,  and  betray  my  great  benefac- 
tor. Had  you  not  yefterday  fo  openly  and 
exprefsly  attacked  my  honour,  and  had  I  not 
apprehended  that  your  fiander  might  bring 
me  tojuftice,  where  I  might  perhaps  have 
been  conftrained  to  make  every  thing  known 
the  greatefl  treafure  in  the  world  would  not 
have  tempted  me  to  violate  his  confidence. 
Be  grateful  therefore  now,  and  promife  me 
ftricl  fidelity.  Ufe  this  information  to 
your  advantage,  but  do  not  injure  me, 
or  my  benelaclor,  by  iiiconfiderate  blab- 
bing." 

Host.  lt  May  T  grow  crooked  and  lame,  if 
one  word  of  it  ever  comes  from  my  lips!  And 
may  I  die  a  violent  death,  if  I  do  not  formally 
beg  your  pardon  to-day  at  the  public  houfe, 
and  declare  before  every  body  there,  that 
you  have  acquired  your  fortune  in  a  truly 
honell  manner.  But  tell  me  now  when  the 
young  Marquis  comes,  and  how  I  lhall  re- 
ceive him  ?" 


124  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Jacob.  "  His  arrival  does  not  depend  on 
himfelf,  but  on  the  ftars.  He  muft  be  regu- 
lated by  them,  in  order  to  accomplifh  his 
enterprize  happily.  Perhaps  he  may  be 
now  on  his  journey ;  perhaps  he  may  not 
come  thefe  two  years." 

Host.    u  But  he  certainly  will  come  ? 

Jacob.  w  Undoubtedly  !  you  may  rely  on 
it ;  and  the  better  you  receive  him,  the  more 
courtefy  you  ihew  him,  the  greater  will  be 
your  reward." 

The  inquifitive  heft  appeared  now  quite 
contented  and  full  of  joy,  and  was  already 
building  a  thoufand  caftles  in  the  air.  The 
cunning  Jacob  laughed  within  himfelf,  and 
was  rejoiced  that  he  had  fo  completely  de- 
ceived him,  and  could  now  enjoy  his  plunder 
in  peace. 

The  fplendid  profpecls  which  the  hoft  was 
now  inceffantly  dreaming  of,  made  him  often 
mufing  and  thoughtful ;  he  no  longer  worked 
fo  diligently  as  he  had  done,  but  loved  belt  to 
fit  in  fome  corner,  where  he  might,  without 
being  difturbed,  bufy  himfelf  with  the  idea  of 
his  future  fortune.  His  wife  was  offended  at 
this  unufual  behaviour  in  her  hulband,  and 
refolved  to  find  out  the  reafon  of  it.  Whoe- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.      »  125 


ver  knows  any  thing  of  women,  will  know 
very  well  how  continually  they  plague  their 
hulbands  on  fuch  an  occafion,  and  will  al- 
ready have  prophefied  that  fhe  carried  her 
point  at  laft.  In  fact  me  was  very  foon  the 
joint  poflefibr  of  the  fecret.  - 

Nothing  opprelTes  a  weak  mind  like  a  fe- 
cret,  or  gives  it  the  fancied  importance  it 
wifhes  for,  like  being  able  to  reveal  one. 
Thus  Catherine,  for  fuch  was  the  name  of 
our  muling  holt's  wife,  was  no  fooner  miftrefs 
of  this,  than  fhe  combed  her  hair  lmooth, 
put  on  her  Sunday  gown,  and  battened  to  the 
cattle  of  the  Lord  of  the  Manor.  She  had 
ferved  there  fix  years  as  cook,  with  great 
diligence  and  honelty,  and  was  for  this  rea- 
fon  always  well  received  in  the  family,  and 
now  hoped  to  acquire  much  greater  confe- 
quence.  there  from  the  nature  of  her  prefent 
errand.  She  went  from  the  kitchen  directly 
up  to  the  apartment  of  the  miftrefs  of  the 
cattle,  and  was  conducted  by  her  to  her  papa, 
who  was  no  other  than  the  Baron  von  Tie- 
fenthal.  As  he  inferred  from  the  importance 
of  her  look  that,  file  had  forae  weighty  intel- 
ligence to  communicate,  he  fpoke  very  cour- 
teoufly  to  her,  and,  offered  her  a  chair.  This 
fet  Catherine's  tongue  a  going,  and  the  Ba- 
ron was  minutely  informed  of  the  above  mar- 
vellous hiftory.     The  Countefs  von  .M— . 


126  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


alfo  learnt  it  a  fhorttime  after,  much  in  the 
fame  manner,  as  Ihe  was  buying  fome  flax 
of  Catherine,  and  won  her  confidence  by  her 
affable  behaviour. 

Hod,  Baron,  and  Countefs,  now  all  fabri- 
cated their  particular  plans  how  to  decoy  the 
young  Marquis,  when  he  appeared,  as  a 
hatchel  and  moufe-trap  dealer,  iri  their 
neighbourhood  ;  and  to  entitle  themfelves,by 
the  moll  attentive  beneficence,  to  a  part,  or 
perhaps  the  whole,  of  his  great  treafures.  By 
Catherine's  prudent  management  fhe  per- 
fuaded  her  hufband  to  reveal  the  fecret,  that 
he  knew  already,  to  the  Baron  ;  and  the  Ba- 
ron prevailed  on  the  hoft  to  promife,  that  he 
ihould  have  immediate  information  of  the  ar- 
rival of  the  young  Marquis. 

The  Baron  von  Tiefenthal  was  the  eco- 
nomical fon  of  a  very  extravagant  father,  and 
it  was  with  difficulty  that  he  could  fupport 
his  fituation  vt  ith  an  inheritance  encumber- 
ed with  the  debts  of  the  latter.  He  was  ve- 
ry naturally  therefore  extremely  rejoiced  that 
fo  fortunate  an  opportunity  was  likely  to  be 
prefented  to  him  of  difencumbering  hiseftate. 
His  daughter  was  now  marriageable,  and 
who  can  blame  the  good  father  that  he  wim- 
ed  to  bring  about  a  match  between  her  and 
the  rich  Marquis  ?  and  the  more  certainly 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  127 


to  accomplish  his  purpofe,  he  confided  his 
whole  plan  to  her  beforehand. 

The  Counters  von  M  was  the  lively- 
widow  of  an  old  dtfagreeable  hufband,  who, 
to  her  great  joy.,  died  foon  after  their  marri- 
age, and  left  her  the  unlimited  pofleflion  of 
a  large  fortune.  Being  much  inclined  to 
lhow,  luxury,  and  diffipation,  me  had,  with- 
in two  years,  nearly  run  through  this  for- 
tune, when  fhe  heard  from  the  good  natured 
hollefs  this  lucky  fecret.  It  was  therefore 
equally  natural  that  me  mould  alfo  devife 
every  means  to  decoy  the  expected  Marquis 
to  herfelf,  and  thus  hope  to  fecure  an  inex- 
haullible  fource  of  riches. 

In  her  early  youth  the  Countefs  had  ten- 
derly loved,  and  been  beloved  by,  a  hand- 
fome  Lieutenant ;  and  in  confequence  of  this 
amour,  at  feventeen  fhe  became  the  mother 
of  a  daughter,  whofe  birth  was  fo  carefully 
concealed  that  the  Countefs  was  never  fuf- 
pecled,  though  fhe  remained  at  her  father's 
houfe.  The  child  was  immediately  com- 
mitted to  the  care  of  a  poor  parfon's  widow. 

When  the  Countefs  became  a  widow 
herfelf,  me  took  her  daughter  and  this  old 
woman  to  live  near  her  ;  for  notwithstand- 
ing the  general  giddinefs  of  her  character. 


123         The  Mountain  Cottager. 


fhe  loved  the  former  with  maternal  affe&iorh 
This  child  of  love,  whofe  name  was  Emily, 
was  extremely  like  her  mother  ;  but  with- 
out making  any  remarks  on  this  ilriking 
refemblance,  fhe  was  unanimpuily  held,  by 
the  good  natu red  peafaiits,  to  be  the  daugh- 
ter of  the  paribn's  wi  ow  and  in  order  to 
avoid  more  critical  obfervers,  Ihe  lived  with 
her  in  a  retired -cottage  built  for  them  by  the 
Countefs  in  her  park  ;  to  which,  after  the 
death  of  her  hufband,  flie  had  added  part  of 
a  neighbouring  wood. 

The  real  mother  of  this  child,  who  wifhed 
to  eitabliih  her  darling  refpeclably,  thought 
the  prefent  a  fine  opportunity  to  endeavour 
to  accomplifh  her  object  ;  and  by  throwing 
her  in  his  way,  hoped  that  ihe  might  capti- 
vate the  inexperienced  Marquis.  With  this 
view,  Emily  had  been  fent  every  day  du- 
ring the  whole  fummer,  to  the  fummit  of  the 
Fichtelberg,  to- await  his.  coming,  and,  by 
the  inftruclions  of  her  mother,  Ihe  was 
to  do  all  in  her  power  to  attract  and  detain 
him. 

Such  was  the  fltuatfon  of  affairs  when  the 
innocent  Wolfgang  arrived  in  this  country. 
By  all  thofe  who  were  interested  in  the  com- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  129 


ing  of  the  expsdled  Marquis,  he  was  taken 
for  him,  and  tor  this  reafon  was  received  by 
them  with  fo  much  honour. 

It  is  now  certain  that  no  forcerer  deluded 
him  when  he  thought  he  faw  the  Counsels 

von  M  ,  fometimes  as  a  fine  lady,  and 

fometimes  as  a  peafant  girl.  Nor  was  it 
more  extraordinary,  when  he  was  in  a  park 
laid  out  after  the  Englifh  iafhion,  that  he 
fhould  by  various  ways,  conllantly  come 
again  to  the  houfe  fituated  at  the  end  of  it 
and  to  which  all  thefe  ways  purpofely  led. 

But  then  who  was  the  old  man  whom 
Wblfgangfc  undefined ly  murdered  ?  Who 
the  poor  forfaken  female?  Who  were  the 
horfemen  who  releafed  him  the  firft  time  ? 
And  who  the  forcerer  who  releafed  him  the 
fecond  time  out  of  captivity  ? 

Thefe  que  (lions  I  cannot  poffibly  anfwer 
now.  The  time  will  come  when  my  rea- 
ders will  learn  every  thing  ;  but  the  where 
and  the  when  I  mull  leave  undetermined  ; 
becaufe  the  little  Atalante  has  overtaken  the 
panting  Wolfgang,  notwithstanding  his  great 
advantage  of  her,  and  is  holding  him  fall  by 
the  arm.    And  it  is  proper  now  to  liften  tQ 


130  The  Mountain  Cottager. 

their  difcourfe,  or  there  would  be.  a  chafm  m 
the  hiftory. 

Attend  therefore,  and  I  will  go  on.. 


C    H    A   P.  XII. 


OLFGANG  font  of  breath,  heated, 
trembling,  and  looking  with  fear  at  his  Com 
qucress.)  u  I  can  go  no  farther  !  let  what  will 
happen,  I  can  go  no  farther !  I  have  done 
every  thing  that  the  power  of  man  could 
do ;  but  I  mull  yield,  and  it  is  not  my  fault." 

Maiden  (also  out  of  breath.  J  Thou  rude 
ill-behaved  man  Lat  laft  I  have  caught  thee  ; 
I  called  to  thee  fevera!  times,  but  thou 
wouldft  not  mind  me  ;  and  what  is  now 
come  of  it  ?  We  are  both  out  of  breath,  and 
not  able  to  talk  with. one  another." 

IVolgang  finding  his  eyes. J  Ah  V  I  dare 
not  look  at  you,  left  I  am  quite  loft. 

Maiden.  "  Why,  for  what  reafon  ?  do 
look  at  me  !  am  I  then  fo  ugly  ?" 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Wolfgang.  "  Oh  that  it  was  but  nature  ! 
that  it  was  no  enchantment !" 

Maiden.  "  How  !  do  ft  thou  believe,  dear 
Savoyard,  that  I  paint  myfelflike  a  fine  la- 
dy ?  that  I  flaking  bis  band,  and  rubbing 
her  cheek  with  it  softly  J  convince  thyfelf! 
look,  my  colour  is  as  natural  as  thine  ;  is  the 
conference  of  running  fo  faft  ;  only  feel 
how  I  burn  ( putting  his  band  to  her  bosom) 
only  feel  how  my  heart  beats." 

Wolfgang.  "  If  you  were  the  devil  himfeif, 
I  muft  kills  you." 

In  order  to  avoid  the  appearance  of  any 
thing  unnatural  and  inconfiftent  in  my  nar 
rative,  I  cohfider  myfelf  as  neceftitated  here 
to  defcribe  the  lituation  of  poor  Wolfgang, 
when  he  was  led  fo  unexpectedly  from  one 
extreme  to  another.  In  running  he  had 
"Humbled  over  a  flick,  and,  though  he  had 
indeed  endeavoured  to  penerve  his  balance, 
after  tottering  up  and  clown  for  fome  time, 
like  a  nine  pin  when  it  is  touched  by  the 
ball,  the  difproportion  of  gravity  at  laft 
drew  him  backwards  co  the  ground  :  he  fell 
amongft  the  elaltic  branches  of  fome  young 
beeches,  which  rocked  him  up  and  down, 
and  made  it  impoffible  for  him  to  rife,  be- 
caufe  every  fupport  which  he  caught  at  was 
.too  weak,  and  let  him  fink  again. 


The  Mountain  Ccttigcr. 


In  this  fituation  the  purfuing  damfel  over- 
took him.  She  laid  hold  of  his  arm,  but 
prudently  did  not  draw  him  from  it,  as  he 
was  now  no  longer  able  to  fly,  but  remained 
in  her  power.  In  running  after  him  the 
bullies  had  often  caught  her  ;  one  of  them 
had  half  torn  off  her  handei  kerchief,  another 
{hatched  it  quite  away ;  but  entirely  occu- 
pied with  the  defire  to  overtake  the  flying 
youth,  fhe  perceived  nothing  of  this.  But  as 
Wolfgang  uncovered  his  eyes,  and  from  an 
irreliltible  irnpulfe  drew  her  towards  him, 
and  boldly  matched  a  kifs,  fhe  became  at 
once  fenlible  of  her  lofs,  and  fpringing  from 
his  arms  with  all  her  ftrengtb,  in  extreme 
confufion  turned  her  back  to  him. 

It  would  have  been  eafy  for  him  now  to 
fly,  but  the  tables  were  turned,  and  at  this 
moment,  if  the  maiden  had  flown,  Wolfgang 
would  have  followed  her,  as  afTiduoufly  as  me 
had  followed  him  before.  Devils  and  forcery 
were  altogether  vanifhed  from  his  re- 
membrance, and  he  thought  only  of  the  hea- 
ven in  the  damfel's  arms.  You  mull  be  mine! 
my  wife !  thought  he  at  this  moment,  and 
drew  near  to  her  again. 

"  Rude  unmannerly  man !"  fhe  faid, 
"give  me  back  my  handkerchief  O;  I  will 


The  Mown  can  Ccturcr.  133 

never  look  at  you  any  more  ;  give  it  me,  or  I 
will  go  away  diredtly." 

Wolfgang.  "  Dear,  dear  maiden  !  how 
fliould  I  give  you  what  I  do  not  poflefs  ? 
probably  you  have  loft  it  in  running." 

Maiden.  "  And  who  is  in  fault  then  ?  cer- 
tainly thou  ;  and  now  thou  mayilhelp  me  to 
look  for  it." 

Emily,  for  it  was  her,  went  on  before,  and 
Wolfgang  followed  patiently  after  her.  He 
looked  carefully  at  every  bufh,  for  he  hoped, 
if  he  found  the  handkerchief,  at  leaft  to  fee 
the  fair  maiden's  face  again,  and  perhaps  to 
earn  a  reward  for  his  zeal.  Fortune  favour- 
ed him  ;  he  law  it  hanging  on  a  bulb  not  far 
off,  and  jumping  forward,  he  cried  out,  as 
happy  as  a  king  who  had  reconquered  his 
loft  kingdom,  "  I  have  it !  I  have  it !" 

Emily  (looking  after  him  J  "  Then  thrc  > 
it  to  me." 

Wolfgang  (dolefully.)  "  Throw  it  to  you  ! 
and  you  will  not  fetcja  it  yourfelf,  nor  give 
me  a  kifs  as  a  reward  ?" 

Emily. .  "  No  !  give  it  to  me  now." 

M 


?34  The  Mountain -Cottager. 

Wolfgang  ( throwing  the  handkerchief  to 
her.  J 

"  There  you  have  it  then "!  Butf — " 

(  Emily) putiing  it  on  hastily,  and  turn- 
ing to  him.)  ct  Well,  but— what  then  ?" 
fwith  a  kind  look  at  him  ;)  "  perhaps  thou 
wilt  runaway  from  me  again." 

Wolfgang  (rather  huffily.)  Very  poffi- 

Emily.  "  Well,  go,  go !  I  certainly  fhall 
not  run  after  thee  any  more.  But  if  thou 
goeft,  then  thou  wilt  never  obtain  in  thy  life 
 .Yet  go,  now  go." 

Wolfgang.  "  What  fhall  I  never  obtain  in 
my  life  ?  O  fpeak  out  !  what  ?" 

Emily.  "  Thou  wouldeft  know  it  already. 
But  go  now ;  I  certainly  do  not  hinder 
thee." 

Wol/gang.  u  But  if  I  do  not  go  ?  if  I  follow 
you  patiently  wherever  you  lead  me  ;  how 
then  !" 

Emily,  "  Then,  indeed,  I  will  forget  eve- 
ry thing  ;  then  thou  fhalt  be  rewarded." 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


*3S 


She  looked  kindly  at  him  ;  and  Wolfgang, 
quite  tranfported,  took  his  reward. 

Emily  (putting  her  hand  before  his  mouth  J 
"  Enough,  enough !  Wilt  thou  always  follow 
me  I  never  more  forfake  me  ?  I  can  love  thee 
w  ith  ali  my  heart.  Thy  curling  hair,"  ( she 
strokes  him  softly  on  the  forehead  J  "  pleafes 
me  ;  thy  rofy  cheeks  and  thy  black  eyes  am 
fine;    Do  I  pleafe  thee  alio  ?" 

Wolfgang,  c<  Do  you  pleafe  me  !  he  funk 
on  his  knee — 11 1  adore  you." 

Wolfgang  pre  (Ted  Emily  to  his  bread,  and 
though  they  ipoke  not  a  word,  their  hearts 
under  ft  ood  each  other,  and  the  infeparabla 
bond  of  love  was  inwardly  fworn  to  by  them 
both. 

Emily  (disengaging  herself  from  bimj 
"  Dear,  good  !  now  let  us  go  !  My  mother 
will  expect  me  ;  I  cannot  any  longer  de- 
prive her  of  the  joy  of  hearing  that  I  have 
found  thee." 

They  walked  on,  and  as  Wolfgang  began 
now  to  recover  his  recollection,  the  terror 
that  this  lovely  creature  might  be  an  illufion 
of  enchantment  took  polfeiiion  of  his  mind, 
for  he  extremely  dreaded  the  lofs  of  her.  In 


136  Tbs  Mountain  Cottager. 

order  to  become  more  certain  on  this  point, 
he  began  to  aik,  u  Who  is  your  mother,  dear 

maiden 

Minify.  "  We  mall  foon  be  with  her  ;  me 
lives  at  the  end  of  the  park  in  the  little  white 
cottage,  the  roof  of  which  thou  feell  mining 

there." 

At  the  words,  white  cottage,  he  flarted  ; 
and  when  he  actually  faw  the  top  of  the  roof, 
1.  teps  tottered.  The  magnet  by  his  fide 
drew  htm  forwards;  fear  of  the  forcererand 
ajl  Ills  crew,  held  him  back.  But,  as  the 
melt  ane  ent  of  the  Poets  have  already  evi- 
dently proved  that  love  vanquishes  every 
thing,  my  readers  will  eafily  imagine  that, 
notwithstanding  his  doubts  and  fears,  he  re- 
folved  to  follow  the  fair  maiden,  and  could 
not  poffibly  perfuade  himfelf  that  Satan  could 
affumeaform  of  fuch  purity  and  perfection. 
To  obtain,  if  poffible,  ilill  farther  light,  he  be- 
gan again  to  alii  queftions. 

Wolfgang.  "  Sweet  maiden,  do  you  know 
the  Countefs  von  M  V9 

Emily.  "  Do  I  know  my  fecond  mother  ! 
what  a  queftion?  I  am  indebted  to  her  for  all 
that  I  poffefs  ; — the  houfe  to  which  we  arc 
going  is  her  property;  this  wood,  and  every 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


*37 


thing  that  thou  feeft  belongs  to  her.  No  mo- 
ther can  love  a  child  more  tenderly  than  me 
loves  me." 

Wolfgang.  "  You  are  extremely  like  her  ; 
fo  like  her,  that  I  mould  take  you  and  her 
for  the  fame  perfon,  if  your  own  account  and 
your  more  youthful  figure  did  not  convince 
me  to  the  contrary,  I  have  feen  and  converf- 
ed  with  the  Countefs  von  M  ." 

Emily.  "  I  know  that,  fimpleton  !  She  hag 
told  me  every  thing,  and  complained  bitterly 
that  thou  waft  fo  abominably  taken  away 
from  her  lately,  as  me  was  bringing  thee  to 
vifit  me." 

Wolfgang  was  very  glad,  from  this  relati- 
on, to  be  more  and  more  confirmed  in  his 
conjecture,  that  his  fuppofition  about  the 
devil  and  forcery  had  been  an  error.  Cer- 
tainly, he  thought,  as  the  Countefs  von  Al- 
and this  maiden  are  different  perfons,  the 
other  forcerer-like  adventures  may  probably 
have  arifen  from  equally  natural  caufes. 
Wi filing  to  inveitigate  this  flill  more  clearly, 
he  refolved  to  continue  his  queftions  ;  and 
hoped  from  the  information  of  his  beloved 
maiden,  to  obtain  fatisfa&ory  explanations 
on  thefe  heads.  He  was  juft  going  to  *fk 
kow  it  could  poffibJy  be,  that  from  various, 


*3« 


The  Mountain  Cottager* 

o 


and  apparently  contrary  ways,  he  always 
returned  to  the  fame  houfe,  from  which  he 
believed  himfelf  far  diftant,  when  all  at  once 
a  great  noife  behind  them  caught  his  attenti- 
on. He  turned  about  inftantly,  and  faw  two 
men  in  malks  Handing  before  him.  "  We 
have  you  at  lad,  my  Lord  Marquis  V  they 
called  out,  jeeringly  ;  and  before  Wolfgang 
could  recover  himfelf,  and  make  any  anfwer, 
one  of  them  ftabbed  him  twice  in  the  body 
with  a  dagger,  and  then  they  both  made  their 
efcape  into  the  thicket. 

Wolfgang  funk,  rattling  in  the  throat,  to 
tne  earth  ;  his  eyes  clofed,  and  the  afEicted 
defpairing  Emily  foon  faw  no  figns  of  life  in 
him.  She  at  laft  recollected,  that  if  it  were 
poflible  for  any  afliftance  yet  to  be  of  fervice 
to  him,  her  mother,  who  had  fome  fkill  in 
the  ufe  of  certain  herbs,  was  mofl  likely  to 
render  it  efficacioufly.  She  haftened  there- 
fore, to  her,  and  foon  returned,  weeping  and 
out  of  breath,  with  the  old  woman.  As  they 
came  to  the  place  where  Wolfgang  was  at- 
tacked  by  the  murderers,  a  profufion  of  blood 
plainly  pointed  out  where  he  had  lain  ;  but 
«  the  body  was  gone.  They  perceived  a  bloody 
track  from  this  fpot,  which  they  followed, 
and  it  led  them  down  through  the  thicket, 
and  brought  them  at  no  great  diftance  to  the 
*edge  of  the  fliaft  of  an  old  mine,  where  the 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  139 


track  ceafed  ;  and  convinced  them,  that  du- 
ring Emily's  abfence  the  murderers  had  re- 
turned, carried  off  the  bleeding  corpie,  and 
thrown  it  into  this  fliaft  in  order  if  poflible, 
to  elude  all  enquiry  on  the  fubject. 

Emily  and  the  old  woman  flood  for  foms 
time  quite  difconfolate  by  the  fide  of  this  hor- 
rible grave.  The  former  wept,  though  a 
new  acquaintance,  the  object  of  a  ftrong  and 
tender  paffion  ;  the  latter  mourned  over  her 
difappointed  hopes  of  wealth,  which  had  all 
vanifhed  with  the  fuppofed  Marquis.  The 
fear  that  the  murderers  might  return  once 
more  and  plunge  them,  as  evidence  of  their 
guilt,  into  the  dreadful  abyfs,  at  length 
roufed  the  old  woman  to  think  of  returning  ; 
and  Emily,  entirely  abforbed  in  her  forrow, 
followed  her  in  iilence. 


CHAR  XIII. 


APTAIN  Wildner  became  a  foldier  rft+ 
ther  from  necqflity  than  inclination  ;  becaufe 


140  The  Mountain  Cottager* 


his  father,  Colonel  Wildner,  though  he  left 
behind  him  a  high  reputation  for  courage 
and  integrity,  fcarcely  left  a  pittance  of  for- 
tune fu$icient  to  pay  the  expences  of  his 
funeral.  The  fon,  who  had  always  main- 
tained as  diftinguifhed  a  character  for  virtue 
and  bravery  as  the  father,  at  forty  years  old 
had  only  rifen  to  the  rank  of  Captain. 
With  the  fomewhat  more  liberal  income 
which  he  then  enjoyed,  he  began  to  feel  in 
its  full  force  the  truth  of  the  faying,  "  That 
it  is  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone. "  He 
fought  therefore  for  a  helpmate  amongft  the 
daughters  of  the  land,  and  foon  found  one  in 
the  perfon  of  a  parfon's  daughter,  who  wa3 
indeed  poor  in  worldly  wealth,  but  rich  in 
the  qualities  which  mod  lafringly  fecure  the- 
happinefs  of  the  marriage  Hate. 

Wilcrner  began  firft.  to  live  in  her  focietyr, 
#id  his  wife  and  two  children  became  fo» 
dear  to  him,  that  he  would  not  have  exchang- 
ed his  fituation  for  the  poffeffion  of  kingdoms* 
After  a  few  years  of  enjoyment,  a  war,  which 
defolated  his  native  land,  tore  him  from  the 
only  bl effing  that  the  world  had  ever  afforded 
him,  and  which  he  refigned,  on  the  call  of 
duty,  with  infinite  reludtance. 

When  he  returned  home  for  the  firft  time, 
after  an  abfence  of  ten  years,  he  found  his 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


141 


wife  dead,  and  his  two  children,  a  boy  and 
girl,  under  the  care  of  a  near  relation,  whofe 
fcxtratfrdinary  kindnefs  to  his  forfaken  wife 
and  babes  gave  fome  confolation  to  the  af- 
flicted hufhand.  As  thefe  children  were 
nearly  giown  up,  the  father  took  his  fan 
with  him,  to  join  tike  army  now  ready 
to  march,  to  oppofis  an  enemy  which  had  iuft 
rekindled  the  flame  of  war  againft  his  coun- 
try. His  daughter,  an  almoft  perfect  model 
of  confummate  beauty,  and  with  a  mind  of 
the  nioft  untainted  innocence,  continued  un- 
der the  protection  of  her  fecond  mother  ,  and 
nothing  but  the  hope  that  the  welfare  of  his. 
darling  would  be  fee ure  under  fuch  protecti- 
on, could  have  enabled  the  father  to  fupport 
this  feparation  with  any  fortitude. 

The  fofter-ttidther  of  Clara  had  hitherto 
lived  in  the  town  ;  but  longing  for  quiet,  a 
not  unnatural  confequence  of  age,  ihe  moved 
into  a  neighbouring  village,  and  (there,  in  the 
calm  of  folitude,  devoted  the  remainder 
of  her  ( days  to  God.  Clara  accompanied 
her  thither,  and  from  her  gentle  lentimen- 
tal  character,  foon  found  a  thoufand  pleafures 
in  the  country,  thatihe  had  never  felt  in  the 
town.  It  was  a  luxury  to  the  native  fitfu 
plicity  of  her  foul,  to  leave  her  downy  pillow 
early  in  the  morning,  and  contemplate,  from 
an  adjoining  hill,  the  majeftic  rifing  of  the 


142  The  Mountain  Cottager, 


fun.  Her  heart  expanded,  with  the  reviving 
animation  of  nature,  to  the  fublimeft  emoti- 
ons of  delight.  She  adored  the  omnipotence 
of  God  in  this  glorious  pitture  ;  lhe  wormip- 
ped  him  in  every  blade  of  grafs,  and  in  e very- 
drop  of  dew  which  {hone  like  chryftal  upon 
its  delicate  texture  and  vivid  hue. 

Nothing  opens  the  heart,  and  awakens 
every  dormant  feeling  in  the  human  foul,  to 
a  Hate  fo  fufceptible  of  impreffion,  as  the  fe- 
rene  beauty  of  fuch  a  morning.  Every  thing 
lives,  every  thing  moves,  every  thing  expref- 
fes,  in  its  own  peculiar  manner,  its  participa- 
tion in  the  joys  of  this  moment.  Thelowing 
of  the  herds,  the  bleating  of  the  fheep,  the 
finging  of  the  birds,  the  hum  of  the  infedls, 
all  fill  the  great  chorus  which  hails  the  return 
of  day.  But  it  is  a  fcene  only  to  be  felt,  not 
defcribed.  No  poet,  no  painter,  can  do  it 
juftiee  ;  it  is  too  great,  too  fublime,  to  come 
within  the  limits  of  their  powers.  Whoever 
really  feels  and  enjoys  it,  will  own  with  ir.e, 
that  at  no  other  time  he  ever  finds  his  mind 
elevated  towards  the  Sovereign  of  the  Uni- 
verfe  with  fuch'  a  fervor  of  devotion.  The 
heart  overflows  with  an  excefs  of  feeling  ; 
one  ftretches  out  one's  arms,  and  longs  to 
embrace  the  utmoft  bounds  of  creation  ;  the 
grafp  is  too  mighty,  and  the  full  foul  feeks  a 


The  Mountain  Cottager,  r4j 


kindred  mind  to  mare  thefe  overpowering 
emotions. 

As  Clara  fat,  in  one  of  the  fined  mornings 
of  the  fpring,  under  the  made  of  a  {lately 
old  oak,  with  all  thefe  fenfations  newly 
awakened  in  her  bofom,  fhe  was  feen  by  the 
young  Baron  von  Tiefenthal,  who  lived  in  a 
town  not  far  diftant.  He  had  been  fent 
thither  by  his  father  for  the  purpofe  of  pur- 
fuing  his  ftudies  ;  but  inftead  of  fulfilling 
this,  devoted  himfelf  to  all  kinds  of  diflipati- 
on.  He  was  hunting  in  this  romantic  coun- 
try, as  he  now  faw,  unnoticed  by  her,  the 
beautiful  Clara.  The  power  of  her  charms 
had  an  inftantaneous  effect  on  him.  In  the 
courfe  of  his  licentious  amours,  he  had  never 
feen  the  bloom  of  fuch  a  cheek,  the  expref- 
fion  of  fuch  an  eye,  and  Mill  lefs  any  thing 
like  the  innocent  pleafure  which  was  paint- 
ed on  her  lovely  face,  evidently  arifmg  from 
her  enjoyment  of  the  beauties  of  nature,  as 
{he  contemplated  the  furrounding  country. 

Tiefenthal,  whofe  intemperate  paffions 
were  already  highly  excited,  refpec~tiully  ap- 
proaching the  fair  creature.  u  I  am  fortu- 
nate," he  faid,  "  to  find  here  a  congenial  foul, 
which  can  feel  whit  I  feel,  and  will  there- 
fore pardon  my  breaking  in  on  thefe  feelings 
which  my  heart  is  full  of,  and  fo  ardently 


144 


The  Mountain  Cottager, 


wifhes  to  fhare  with  one  of  iimilar  fenti- 
meiits." — Clara  flarted  up,  alarmed,  and 
would  have  flown,  if  her  heart  had  not  felt 
this  fimUarity  too  powerfully  ;  or  if  the  youth 
who  Hood  before  her,  had  not  been  fo  hand* 
fome,  and  had  not  fupplicated  fo  urgently  for 
her  longer  Hay.  One  word  brought  on 
another.  The  diflembler  knew  fo  well  how 
to  play  his  part ;  talked  fo  much  of  the  beaiu 
ties  of  nature,  of  the  pleafures  they  held  out 
to  the  admirers  of  them,  that  the  unfu  {peel- 
ing female  foon  found  his  company  agree- 
able, and  was  not  difpleafed  when  he  pro- 
#iifed  to  come  there  again  the  next  morning, 
and  fhare  with  her  this  rational  delight. 

I  mould  deviate  from  my  purpofe,  and 
extend  my  hiflory  to  many  volumes,  if  I 
mould  continue  to  relate  thus  circumftanti- 
ally  the  whole  account  of  the  feduclion  of 
the  artlefs  Clara.  I  will  therefore  be  as 
concife  as  pofiible.  She  faw  the  beautiful 
youth  again  the  next  and  many  following 
days.  She  found  his  converfation  extremely 
agreeable,  and  giving  way  to  the  impulfe  of 
nature,  fhe  foon  loved  him  with  the  greateft 
tendernefs,  without  having  any  idea  of  his 
villainy,  and  her  own  danger.  But  before 
two  months  were  elapfed  he  had  taken  ad- 
vantage of  her  innocence,  and  ihe  became 
his  vi&im. 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  145 


Clara  felt  her  fall  very  deeply,  and  in  the 
firlt  bitter  moments  of  regret,  determined 
never  to  fee  the  youth  again.  But  his  per- 
fuafions,  and  the  pleadings  of  her  own  heart, 
for  him,  were  fo  powerful,  that  notwith (land- 
ing her  refolution,  me  faw  him  again  in  the 
evening,  and  from  that  time  received  his  clan- 
deltine  vifits  in  a  remote  chamber  in  the 
houfe  of  her  fofter  mother.  The  natural  con- 
fequence  of  this  connection  enfued  ;  and  as 
foon  as  Clara  was  fenfible  of  it,  ftie  claimed 
from  her  lover  the  fulfilment  of  his  folemn 
engagements,  and  entreated  him  with  anguifh. 
to  conceal  her  ihame,  and  marry  her  as  foon 
as  poflible. 

Tiefenthal  renewed  his  promifes,  and  then 
left  her,  in  order,  as  he  faid,  to  mention  the 
iubjedt  to  his  father,  and  to  obtain  his  confent 
to  their  marriage.  But  this  was  only  a  pre- 
tence to  deceive  her,  for  he  returned  immedi- 
ately to  the  town;  and  while  theanxious  Clara 
was  praying  for  the  fuccefsful  iflue  of  his 
errand,  and  his  fpeedy  return,  he  had  for- 
gotten her  in  the  arms  of  proftitution.  One 
evening  when  he  w as  drunk,  a  quarrel  arofe 
between  him  and  one  of  his  companions, 
from  whom  he  would  forcibly  have  taken  a 
favourite  girl,  and  he  was  ilabbed  by  him  in 
the  fcufHe,  and  died  without  having  repented 
•—without  having  even  confelTed  the  crimes 

N 


i46 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


that  he  had  committed  here  below.  His  fa- 
ther was  informed  of  his  rniferable  end,  and 
as  he  very  naturally  endeavoured  to  draw  a 
veil  over  it,  his  being  dead  was  but  little 
known,  and  the  manner  of  his  death  itill 
lefs. 

While  the  corpfe  of  Tiefenthal  was  moul- 
dering in  the  grave,  and  his  foul  gone  to  its 
dreadful  account,  Clara  was  impatiently  ex- 
pecting his  return.  Every  day  increafed  her 
forrow,  and  alio  made  her  Situation  more 
confpicuous,  till  at  kill  fhe  was  no  longer 
able  to  conceal  this,  and  much  lefs  her  tears 
from  the  watchful  eye  of  her  foiler-mother. 
She  owned  to  her  the  reafon  of  her  forrow  ; 
and  the  dreadful  intelligence  had  fuch  an  ef- 
fect on  her,  that  it  threw  her  into  a  deadly 
ficknefs.  Before  {he  died  fne  wrote  to  Cap- 
tain Wildner,  informing  him  of  Clara's  un- 
happy fituation,  and  of  the  probability  of 
her  own  death. 

On  the  very  day  in  which  the  wretched 
Clara  had  buried  her  invaluable,  and  now 
for  ever  loft  friend,  her  father  and  brother 
returned,  and  entered  her  room  in  a  violent 
agitation.  She  fainted  away  at  the  fight  of 
them,  and  was  only  recovered,  after  fome 
time,  by  the  affectionate  carcfies  of  her  fa- 
ther. He  fbothed  her  angnifh,  and  promifed 


I 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


147 


never  to  think  harfhly  of  her  ;  and  alfo  to 
pardon  her  feducer  if  he  would  repair  the  in- 
jury that  he  had  been  guilty  of,  and  reward 
her  too  tender  love  by  making  her  his  wife. 
As  me  ftill  believed  that  her  lover  was  fin- 
cere,  and  now  with  his  father,  the  Captain 
did  not  go  to  the  town,  where,  by  minute  en- 
qutries,  he  would  probably  have  learnt  his 
dreadful  end  ;  but  he  fet  out  with  her  direct- 
ly for  the  village  in  which  was  the  Baron  von 
Tiefenthal's  caftle.  His  intention  was,  firft 
to  fpeak  with  the  young  man,  and  if  he  found 
him  faithful,  then  to  talk  with  the  old  Baron 
on  the  juftice  due  to  his  daughter  ;  but  if  he 
found  young  Tiefenthal  a  villain,  unmindful 
of  his  engagements,  he  then  refolved  to  take 
fearful  vengeance  on  the  traitor. 

Before  fhe  could  reach  the  village,  poor 
Clara,  overcome  by  fatigue  and  anxiety,  fell 
dangeroufly  ill.  In  confequence  of  this  they 
flopped  at  a  cottage,  the  owners  of  which  re- 
ceived them  with  kindnefs,  and  entertained 
them  in  the  belt  manner  they  were  able. 
After  two  days  of  fevere  fuffering,  Clara,  ra- 
ther before  her  time,  was  delivered  of  a  boy. 
Both  mother  and  child  were  almoft  dead; 
and  unfortunately  in  this  part  of  the  country 
there  was  no  medical  aiTiftance  to  be  obtain- 
ed. The  poor  difconfolate  old  father  often 
fat  for  hours  by  her  bedfide  in  filence  and 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


defpair ;  bat  when  now  and  then  Clara  ap- 
peared to  revive,  and  clafped  her  crying  in- 
fant to  her  breaft,  he  was  comforted  again,  and 
hoped  that  all  might  yet  be  well. 

In  converfation  with  his  kind  hoft,  he 
learned  that  the  old  Baron  von  Tiefenthal's 
Caftle  was  only  about  nine  miles  from  thence ; 
that  his  fon  was  a  profligate  youth,  the  ter- 
ror of  all  parents  who  had  handfome  daugh- 
ters, and  of  all  huffends  who  had  handfome 
wives;  and  that  he  was  now  the  declared  lover 
of  the  beautiful  Countefs  von  M  .  Whe- 
ther he  w  as  at  prefent  with  his  father,  or  ro- 
ving about  elfewhere,  the  old  peafant,  who  fel- 
dom  left  his  folitude,  could  not  tell. 

This  heart-rending  difcrlption  of  the  fedu- 
cer  of  his  child  induced  the  Captain  to  fend 
his  fon  to  the  village,  which  lay  near  the 
caftle,  to  learn  fome  farther  particulars  re- 
fpetting  young  Tiefenthal,  arB  whether  he 
was  now  in  the  country.  He  went  the  fame 
day  on  which  the  old  Baron  brought  poor 
Wolfgang  with  him  to  his  houfe.  Many  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  v  llage,  who  in  paffing, 
took  him  for  his  fon,  warned  their  daughters 
of  him  in  the  pre  fence  of  young  Wildner ;  and 
when  he  made  farther  enquiries  about  him, 
he  heard  the  fame  account  that  had  already 
been  given  to  his  father.    "  "We  fuppofed 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  rqg 


him,"  they  added,  "  dead  ;  but ;  weeds  do  not 
die,  and  now  we  muft  take  care,  or  we  fhall 
live  to  fee  new  diftrelfes  brought  amongft  us 
by  his  debaucheries." 

When  the  fori  returned  with  this  lamenta- 
ble account  to  his  father,  both,  glowing  with 
indignation,  vowred  to  revenge  themfelves  on 
the  traitor,  if  he  would  not  render  full  and 
complete  fatisfaction  to  the  injured  Clara. 
Young  Wijbdner  went  out  again,  and  fwpre  to 
his  father  not  to  return  till  he  brought  the  be- 
trayer with  him. 

He  met  the  Countefs  von  M  's  coach 

as  (lie  was  carrying  Wolfgang  to  her  cattle  ; 
and  being  informed  by  a  peafant  that  it  was 
her,  and  that  her  companion  was  no  doubt 
the  young  Baron  von  Tiefenthal,  he  followed 
the  carriage  with  hafty  fteps,  and  overtook 
them  walking  in  the  grove.  His  impatience 
for  revenge  did  net  permit  him  to  afk  for  any 
explanation ;  he  only  peremptorily  com- 
manded Wolfgang  to  follow  him,  who  inno- 
cently complied  with  this  demand. 

The  fequel  of  this  melancholy  flory  is  al-  - 
'ready  known  to  my  readers,  and  it  would . 
therefore  be  fuperfluous  to  relate  it  again. 
N  2 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


CHAP.  XIV. 


o 

N  the  evening  of  the  fame  day,  in  which 
poor  Wolfgang  was  fo  barbaroufly  murdered, 
the  innocent  Emily,  feated  under  the  ihade 
of  a  lime,  wept  fincerely  this  unexpected 
misfortune.  He  was,  in  their  fhort  acquaint- 
ance, become  very  dear  to  her,  and  was  al- 
ways prefent  to  her  imagination,  as  he  had 
knelt  before  her,  when  they  filently,  but  ex- 
preflively  pledged  to  each  other  mutual  fide- 
lity. To  have  loft  him  in  a  moment  after, 
and  that  without  a  hope  of  ever  feeing  him 
again,  were  circumitances  of  fuch  bewilder- 
ing horror,  that  all  attempts  to  reconcile 
herfelf  to  them  were  vain.  Not  far  from  her 
fat  her  fofter-mother  and  the  Countefs  von 
M  ,  with  difappointment  flrongly  depict- 
ed on  their  countenances,  in  earned  conver- 
sion. All  their  plans  and  hopes  were  de- 
feated by  Wolfgang's  death,  and  the  thought- 
lefs  Countefs  felt,  for  the  firft  time,  a  real 
anxiety  how  to  difengage  herfelf  from  her 
debts,  and  leave  em  unencumbered  eitate  to 
her  daughter.    They  had  juft  come  to  a.  reftu 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


lutlon  to  have  the  dead  body  drawn  out  of 
the  fhaft  early  the  next  morning,  and  to  ap- 
propriate tothemfelves  whatever  they  might 
find  in  the  pockets  of  the  deceafed,  as  a  law- 
ful inheritance,  as  a  young  peafant  ran  by 
them  in  the  utmoft  hade ;  anguifh  and  fear 
were  painted  on  his  brow,  and  his  terrible 
groans  made  them  notice  and  ftop  him. 
4t  What  has  happened  to  you?*'  afked  the 
Countefs. 

Young  Peasant  f  breathless.  J  "  I  was  ga- 
thering berries  in  the  wood  near  the  fhaft — 
there  is  fomething  alive  in  it — it  moaned — I 
ran  away  !  and  now  I  always  think  it  is  com- 
ing after  me  !" 

u  That  is  my  poor  Savoyard  !"  cries  Emily, 
ftarting  up  ;  a  Oh  if  he  yet  lives,  how  happy 
I  fhall  be  I"  "  Yes,  indeed,  how  happy  we 
ihall  be  !"  cry  the  Countefs  and  the  old  wo- 
man.— "  I  will  go  to  him  !  I  mull  fee  him 
and  comfort  him  !"  cries  Emily,  and  fhe  was 
going  forwards.  The  prudent  old  woman 
detained  her,  and  convinced  her  that  to  com- 
fort him  was  impoffible,  till  they  had  obtain- 
ed affiftance  to  draw  him  from  the  fhaft. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  neighbouring  vil- 
lage were  fummoned  ;  and,  furnilhed  with 
$ords7  poles,  and  ladders,  let  out  to  accom- 


x$z  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


plifli  this  purpofe.  On  the  way  it  firfl  occur- 
red to  the  Countefs,  that  perhaps  the  depth 
of  the  fhaft  might  bafHe  all  their  endeavours  ; 
but  an  old  peafant,  who  walked  next  to  her, 
allured  her  to  the  contrary,  for  that  one  of 
his  calves  had  fallen  in  there  the  year  before, 
and  that  he  had  ventured  down  to  refcue  it, 
and  did  not  find  the  hole  above  forty  feet 
deep,  and  the  bottom  of  it  was  overgrown 
with  foft  mofs.  He  offered  to  go  down  now 
with  a  rope,  and  bind  the  unfortunate  perfon 
who  had  been  thrown  in  there,  when  thofe 
on  the  outfide  could  draw  him  up,  and  after, 
wards  himfelf.  This  comfortable  account 
drew  them  all  on  with  increafmg  hade,  and 
they  came  to  the  mouth  of  the  fhaft  in  a  very 
fhort  time.  Emily  was  the  firfl:  there,  and 
bending  over  the  edge,  fhe  called  to  her  dear 
Savoyard,  and  was  anfwered  by  a  deep  moan. 

The  peafant  went  down,  and  foon  called 
out,  "  Draw  him  up,  I  have  fattened  him 
well.  He  is  frill  alive,  and  fpeaks,  but  it  is 
in  a  language  that  I  do  not  underftand. V 
Every  one  took  hold  of  the  ropes,  and  drew 
with  united  ftrength  ;  Emily  herfelf  was 
amongft  them,  and  was  anxioufly  careful 
that  her  Wolfgang  might  not  be  wounded 
anew  in  this  operation.  At  lad  the  load  came 
near,  and  with  one  effort  more  it  lay  before 
them,  when  they  all  became  fpeechlefs  with. 


The  Mountain  Cottager,  153 


aftofiifhmerit  at  feeing,  not  the  hoped-for  Sa- 
voyard, but  a  handfomely  dreffed  woman. 
She  moaned  lamentably,  and  kept  her  right 
hand  upon  her  heart.  Her  clothes  were 
blood)'-,  and  when  they  examined  her,  they 
found  a  dagger  plunged,  up  to  the  hilt,  in 
her  left  bread.  As  fhe  endeavoured,  in  vain, 
to  draw  this  out,  a  good-natured  peafant 
rendered  her  this  afTulance,  and  a  fcream  of 
blood  flowed  after  it.  The  unfortunate  wo- 
man once  opened  her  large  blue  eyes,  and 
then  expired  in  the  arms  of  the  Countefs. 

Emily  very  earneftly  entreated  the  peafant 
in  the  fhaft,  to  fearch  if  there  was  not  ftill 
another  body  to  be  found.  But  he  allured 
her,  on  his  honour,  there  were  no  more. 

Deceived  in  their  hopes,  the  whole  com- 
pany wandered  back  in  a  melancholy  difpo- 
fition,  fully  convinced  by  this  double  proof, 
that  there  mud  be  robbers  and  murderers 
harboured  in  the  wood.  The  Countefs  re- 
folved,  therefore,  to  have  it  fearched  tho- 
roughly the  next  day,  and,  in  the  meanwhile, 
for  the  greater  fecurity  of  her  darling,  to 
take  her,  and  her  fofter- mother,  with  her  to 
the  caftle.  The  corpfe  of  the  ftranger  was 
alfo  brought  there,  and  they  examined  her 
clothes  and  her  pockets,  but  found  not  the 
teaft  clue  to  lead  them  even  to  guefs  who  flic 


154  Mountain  Cottager . 


might  be  ;  they  only  di {covered  that  this  poor 
murdered  woman  was  very  big  with  child. 
This  dreadful  fight  excited  new  companion 
in  the  heart  of  the  Countefs  ;  ftie  wept  very 
fincerely  for  her,  and  the  next  day  had  her 
buried  in  her  family  vault. 

Early  the  enfuing  morning,  the  peafants 
from  the  village  afiembled  again,  and  went, 
wkh  the  fervants  of  the  Countefs,  to  fearch 
the  wood  ;  and  if  they  did  not  take  the  mur- 
derers, at  leaft  to  alarm  them  by  this  atten- 
tion, and  probably  remove  them  from  thence. 
They  returned,  in  the  evening,  without  fuc- 
cefs  ;  for,  notwithstanding  their  extreme  dili- 
gence, they  had  neither  found  any  traces  of 
Wolfgang,  nor  of  the  murderers.  After  this, 
Emily  returned  to  the  cottage  with  the  old 
woman,  and  the  Countefs  refolved  to  go  and 
refide,  for  feme  time,  in  the  neighbouring 
town,  partly  to  baniih  care,  and  partly  to 
execute  a  plan  which  fhe  had  formed,  for 
the  payment  of  her  moft  urgent  debts. 

The  day  before  that  fixed  on  for  her  de- 
parture, a  firanger  arrived  at  the  caflle,  and 
enquired  of  the  fervants  if  the  Countefs  von 

M  lived  there.    On  being  anfwercd  in 

the  affirmative,  he  defired  to  fee  her,  and, 
when  he  was  conducted  to  her,  he  prefented 
her  with  a  cafket  carefully  fealed  up,  and 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


begged  for  a  certificate  that  he  had  delivered 
it  faithfully.  The  Countefs  opened  the 
t'afket  directly,  and  found,  to  her  great 
iftonifhment,  that  it  contained  four  thouland 
fequins,  and  a  quantity  of  jewels  which  were 
apparently  of  great  value.  She  examined  it 
with  the  greateii.  care,  but  found  neither  let- 
ter nor  any  thing  elfe,  by  which  me  could  at 
all  imagine  from  whom  this  magnificent  pre  - 
fent  came,  or  whether  it  was  properly  allot- 
ted to  her.  But  the  addrefs,  to  which  lhe 
again  referred,  appeared  to  prove  this  clear- 
ly. She  enquired  in  vain  of  the  bearer  for 
farther  fatisfaction,  for  he  was  unable  to  gra- 
tify her  curiofity. — u  I  am,"  he  laid,  "  a  No- 
tary and  Magistrate  of  the  little  town  of  W — 9 
which  lies  four  miles  from  hence.  Yeiter- 
day  afternoon  a  carriage  arrived  there,  and 
Hopped  at  the  Golden  Sun,  and  a  gentleman 
who  had  been  darigeroufly  wounded,  was 
lifted  out  of  it  by  his  fervants.  ■  He  defired 
that  a  furgeon  might  be  fent  fcr  directly  ;  but 
as  the  only  one  who  lives  in  our  lown,  was 
gone  into  the  country,  this  requeft  was  of  no 
avail.  He. then  begged  to  ha\  e  a  notary  fent 
for,  and  I  was  fummotied  to  him  immediate- 
ly. He  fpoke  to  me  at  fir  ft  in  Italian,  but 
as  I  did  not  underftand  him,  he  fpoke  to  me 

in  German.    His  firil  enauiries  were  about 

a. 

the  next  town,  and  whether  he  fhould  meet 
with  a  ikillul  furgeon  there.    When  I  had 


156  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


given  him  information  on  thefe  particulars, 
he  afked  if  I  knew  where  your  Excellency- 
lived.  On  my  alluring  him  that  I  did,  he  or- 
dered his  valet  to  reach  him  this  cafket.  With 
much  difficulty  he  wrote  a  very  fliort  note, 
and  laid  it  in  the  cafket,  which  he  then  feal- 
ed  up  himfelf,  and  dictated  the  direction  that 
is  upon  it  to  his  valet.  At  lad  he  delivered 
it  to  me  with  the  molt  urgent  requeft  to  bring 
it  over  myfelf  to  your  Excellency  without  de- 
lay. This  I  faithfully  promifed  ;  and  he  then 
gave  me,  as  he  exprefled  himfelf,  a  purfe  of 
fifty  ducats  for  my  trouble,  and  ordered  his 
fervants  to  carry  him  again  to  his  carriage. 
Before  I  could  fet  out,  he  drove  pall  my 
houfe ;  and  what  furprifed  me  very  much, 
went  a  quite  contrary  way  than  the  directi- 
on which  I  had  given  him  to  the  capital. 

Countess.  "Very extraordinary  indeed!  and 
to  me  at  leaf!  quite  incomprehenfible.  You 
mentioned  a  little  note  that  the  itranger  put 
into  the  cafket,  and  which,  notwithllanding 
my  having  looked  with  the  greateft  care,  I 
have  not  found." 

Notary.  "  I  give  my  word,  as  a  perfon  of 
honour,  for  the  truth  of  my  account ;  the 
note  mult  be  there," 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


157 


The  Countefs  emptied  the  cafket  quite  out, 
and  examined  every  paper  in  which  any  of 
the  jewels  were  wrapped,  but  found  nothing. 
At  laft  flie  law  a  paper  folded  together  ly- 
ing upon  the  ground.  She  took  it  up,  and 
found  that  it  contained  the  following  words, 
written  in  a  very  illegible  hand,  in  Italian, 
which  it  colt  the  Countefs  much  trouble  to 
decipher : 

u  I  fend  the  adjoining,  as  the  pro- 
perty of  my  dear,  my  adorable  Emily.  I 
entreat  you  to  deliver  it  to  her,  and  to  allure 
her  that  I  am,  in  my  laft  moments,  her  faith- 
ful 

Marojjis  Lane  go." 

Countess.  "  Though  there  is  a  great  deal 
that  I  do  not  underftand  in  this  affair,  and 
perhaps  never  mail  underftand,  this  note 
certainly  throws  fome  light  on  the  fubjecl; 
Was  the  perfon,  who  gave  this  calket  to  you, 
young  ?  Had  he  black  eyes  and  black  hair  I 

Notary.  "  He  can  fcarcely  be  more  than 
three  or  four  and  twenty,  has  large  black 
eyes  and  black  hair." 

Countess.   "  What  clothes  did  he  wear  V\ 

O 


ij8  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


Notary.  "  That  I  cannot  fay,  becaufe  he 
was  laid  upon  the  bed,  and  had  a  long  man- 
tle thrown  over  him.  His  ill irt  was  framed 
with  blood,  and  he  complained  of  having 
two  dangerous  wounds  on  the  left  fide." 

Countess.  "  Did  he  fpeak  good  German  ?" 

Notary.  "  Me  fpoke  it  fluently,  but  from 
weaknels  very  flowly." 

Countess.  "  Did  he  not  relate  to  you  by 
what  accident  he  was  wounded — whether  by 
murderers,  or  in  a  duel  ?" 

Notary.  "  No  !  I  afked  him  about  it  more 
than  once,  but  1  never  obtained  a  direct  an- 
fwer  ;  one  time  he  faid,  if  I  had  attended,  I 
might  have  guefled  by  what  adventure  it 
happened,  but  that  I  had  not  taken  notice  of 
it." 

Countess.  "  It  can  be  no  other !  I  believe 
that  I  may  now  fafely  fay,  that  I  know  him 
very  well,  and  was  in  company  with  him 
lb  me  days  a*go,  It  is  true  !  Carriage,  horfes, 
and  fervants  !  yet  what  is  there  impoflible  in 
this  ?  It  is  he  !  it  is  he  VI 

Before  the  Notary  took  leave  of  the  Coun- 
ters, fhe  made  him  a  Landiome  prefent^  and 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


earneftly  entreated  him  to  enquire  which 
way  the  Marquis  was  gone  ;  and  \i  he  learnt 
where  he  was,  to  let  her  know  directly.  The 
Notary  proinifed  to  do  this,  and  the  better 
to  keep  his  word,  left  the  caftle  immediately. 

The  Countefs  examined  the  prefent  to 
Emily  once  again,  and  found  that  it  was 
more  than  fufficient  for  the  payment  of  her 
molt  prefTing  debts;  but  as  it  belonged  en- 
tirely to  her  darling,  (he  was  too  conlcien- 
tious  not  to  mow  it  to  her,  and  afk  her  con- 
lent  firft,  before  fhe  appropriated  it  to  this 
purpofe.  She  lent  for  her  ;  and  firft  relating 
the  incident  which  had  jnit  occurred,  then 
mentioned  her  wifli  to  apply  this  treafure  to 
the  liquidation  of  her  debts,  to  which  file  af* 
fented  without  hefitaiion. 

Emily,  who  was  as  firmly  convinced  as 
the  Countefs  that  no  other  than  her  dear 
Savoyard  could  have  fent  her  this  magnifi- 
cent prefent,  wept  and  lamented  him  fmcere- 
]y.  u  He  became  dear  to  me,"  Ihe  laid,  u  in 
the  few  moments  of  our  acquaintance,  and 
will  eternally  continue  fo  from  this  dying- 
proof  of  his  love  for  me.  Oh  !  could  «r  but 
fave  him,  could  I  but  nurfe  and  comfort  him  ! 
I  would  willingly  pafs  my  life  witfe  him,  even 
if  it  was  to  be  in  poverty."  The  Countefs  en- 
deavoured to  confole  her,  and  attained  her 


160  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


end  completely,  as  fhe  clearly  proved  to  her, 
that  a  man,  endow  ed  with  fuch  fupernatural 
flrength,  would  certainly  alfohave  the  means 
to  heal  his  wounds.  u  If  he  could,"  fhe  ad- 
ded, "  refcue  himfelf  out  of  the  fhaft  with- 
out any  affiftanee  \  if  he  could,  in  fo  fhort  a 
time,  provide  himfelf  with  a  carriage,  horfes, 
and  fervants,  he,  no  doubt,  pofTeffes  the 
power  of  relioring  himfelf  to  health,  by  his 
fu  peri  or  knowledge  probably  in  the  ufe  of 
fimplcs.  In  the  meanwhile  only  wait  pa- 
tiently ;  he  will  fooner  or  later  return  quite 
recovered,  and  make  you  the  happiefl  of 
women."  Emily  promifed  to  be  eafy,  and 
looked  anxioully  towards  the  day  in  which 
ihe  fliould  again  fee  the  beloved  of  her  heart. 

Before  two  days  were  paffed,  the  Coun- 
tefs  had  fold  the  jewels  ;  and  being  now  pof- 
feffed  of  fixty  thoufand  florins,  on.  the  third 
day  fhe  fatisfied  the  greater  part  of  her  cre- 
ditors. As  fhe  fat  down  to  table  in  the  even- 
ing, in  company  with  her  Emily,  much  ea- 
fier  in  her  mind  on  being  relieved  from  thefe 
incumbrances,  a  meffenger  on  horfeback  ar- 
rived at  the  caftle.  He  brought  her  a  letter 
from  the  Notary,  in  which  he  informed  her, 
that  he  had  been  fortunate  enough  to  difco- 
verthe  route  which  the  Marquis  had  taken, 
and  followed  him  to  the  next  Saxon  frontier 
town,  where,  to  his  great  grief,  he  found 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  161 


him  in  his  coffin,  and  faw  him  buried  the 
fame  day.  That  to  the  furprife  of  every  bo- 
dy, his  fervants  had  vanifhed  immediately  af- 
ter his  death,  and  left  no  traces  of  which  way 
they  were  flown.  That  the  magiflrate  of 
the  town  had  been  called  in  to  take  charge  of 
whatever  he  might  have  left ;  but  that,  ex- 
cepting fome  few  clothes,  and  a  little  linen^ 
there  was  not  any  thing  found.  It  was  there- 
fore a  well  grounded  prefumption,  that  his 
fervants  had  taken  polTeffion  of  whatever 
papers  and  money  he  might  have  had  with 
him,  as  foon  as  their  mailer  was  dead,  and 
had  difappeared  on  that  account. 


C    H    A   P.  XV. 


MIL Y,  on  this  frefh  difappointment  of 
her  fondeft  hopes,  felt  all  her  forrow  renew- 
ed with  the  greater  keennefs.  She  mourned  in 
Wolfgang  a  lover  and  benefactor,  who  hadr 
in  her  opinion,  undeniably  proved  in  the 
latter  his  fincerity  in  the  former  character- 
Gratitude  and  love  thus  combined  to  fill  her 
foul  with  a  lively  grief,  that  fhe  did  not  a£~ 
O  2 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


tempt  to  diffemble.  In  vain  her  noble  mo- 
ther fought  to  confole  her ;  me  rejected  all 
confolation,  and  withdrew,  unperceived  from 
the  company,  in  order  to  be  able  to  weep 
without  interruption. 

The  evening  was  delightful;  the  full  moon,, 
with  her  melancholy  light,  illuminated  the 
whole  region,  and  invited  Emily  to  wander 
down  the  avenue  of  the  Caftle,  at  the  end  of 
which  me  Hood  fiiil,  abforbed  in  her  diftrefT- 
ful  feelings.  In  this  fituation,  without  having 
heard  any  previous  noife,  {he  felt  herfelf  all 
at  once  feized  by  fomebody  with  very  flrong 
arms,  who  held  her  from  behind,  while  ano- 
ther Hopped  her  mouth,  and  covered  her 
head ;  and  then  lifting  her  up,  they  carried 
her  off  with  the  utmoft  hafte.  After  run- 
ning for  fome  minutes,  they  put  her  into  a 
carriage,  but  ftirl  covered  up,  and  drove  off 
directly  ;  and  now  as  the  rattling  of  the 
wheels  would  prevent  her  cries  being  heard* 
they  took  the  bandage  from  her  mouth. 

She  wept  and  complained  in  vain,  for  they 
appeared  not  to  mind  her,  as  Ihe  received  no* 
a«afwer,  though  fhe  perceived  plainly  that 
fo^Qbody  fat  on  each  fide  of  her.  When  they 
had  driven  for  about  an  hour,  the  carriage; 
flopped.  Emily  was  lifted  out,  and  not* 
wuhfundaig  her  earneft  remonftrances,  they 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  163 


undrcfled  her  to  her  fhift.  In  her  efforts  to 
refill  them  me  pulled  off  the  cloth  that  co- 
vered her  head,  and  faw  to  her  great  amaze- 
ment, that  (lie  was  in  a  wood  ;  that  it  was 
two  men  who  were  undrefling  her,  and  that 
two  others  Hood  by  with  lighted  torches. 
Believing  herfelf  to  be,  without  doubt,  in  the 
hands  of  thofe  villains  who  had  murdered 
her  poor  Wolfgang  before  her  eyes,  ftie  fully 
expected  to  mare  the  fame  fate  ;  and,  over- 
come with  apprehenfion,  funk  into  a  fwoon, 
out  of  which  fhe  was  firfi  roufed  by  the  mak- 
ing of  the  carriage.  To  her  great  aftonifh- 
ment  fhe  found  herfelf  quite  dreffed  again  ; 
and  this  aftonifhment  was  increafed,  as  me 
perceived  that  me  was  drelled  as  a  man.  The 
clay  now  began  to  dawn,  and  fhe  looked  with 
furprife  alternately  at  herfelf,  at  the  fine  car- 
riage, and  at  her  conductors;  an  old  gentleman 
fat  on  her  left  hand,  and  oppofite  to  her  two 
domeftics,  who  carefully  obierved  all  her  mo- 
tions ;  the  former  held  a  faieliing  bottle  in  his 
hand,  and  addreffed  himfelf  toEmily  in  a  lan- 
guage of  which  fhe  underftood  not  a  word* 
Quite  confounded  by  all  the  inexplicable  cir- 
cumftances  of  her  fituation,  me  remained  for 
fome  time  filent ;  but  as  me  began  to  recover 
from  this,  and  to  feel  with  renewed  force  her 
cruel  feparation  from  her  mother,  fhe  w-as 
entirely  overcome,  and,  beginning  to  weep 
bitterly x  fell  at  the  feet  of  die  old  man.— * 


164  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


\\  Whoever  thou  art,"  fhe  faid,  "  let  me  hope 
for  companion  from  thy  age,  and  they  vene- 
rable countenance  !  What  have  I  done  that 
I  am  treated  in  this  manner  ?  Whither  doll 
thou  carry  me  ?  Oh,  take  me  again  to  my 
difconfolate  mother,  or  at  lead  leave  me  at 
liberty  !" 

The  old  gentleman  fmiled  rather  con- 
temptuoufly,  and  made  a  long  ferious  ha- 
rangue in  the  fame,  to  her  unintelligible  lan- 
guage, as  he  fpoke  before  ;  and  notwithftand- 
ing  her  repeatedly  affuring  him  that  fhe  did 
not  under Itand  him,  he  went  on  with  yet 
more  ferioufnefs,  and  at  laft  pulled  out  a  dag- 
ger and  a  piitol,  which  he  held  to  her  breaft 
with  terrible  threats ;  and  Emily,  trembling 
and  weeping,  fhrunk  from  him  into,  the  cor- 
ner of  the  carriage. 

A  repetition  of fuch  fcenes  frequently  took 
place  between  this  poor  captive  and  the  old 
gentleman,  who  fhe  obferved  was  treated  by 
the  others  with  great  reverence.  They  tra- 
velled very  faff,  only  Hopping  occafionally 
for  very  Jhort  intervals ;  and  previoufly  to 
thefe,  bandages  were  always  put  over  Emily's 
eyes  and  mouth,  and  me  was  made  to  fit  up- 
on the  floor  of  the  coach,  and  obliged  often  to 
remain  fome  hours  in  this  fituation.  She 
foon  took  notice  that  it.  was  only  in  uninlia- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  165 


bitecl  places  that  they  allowed  her  the  privi- 
leges of  fight  and  fpcech,  or  ever  permitted 
her  to  get  out  of  the  carriage,  at  which  times 
the  old  gentleman  always  kept  watch  over 
her  at  a  little  diftance,  and  never  ceafed  to 
threaten  her  terribly.  All  kinds  of  refrefh- 
ments  were  offered  to  her,  but  fee  ftubborn- 
]y  refufed  them,  till  the  old  man  conftrained 
her  to  eat  by  the  terrors  of  the  piftol. 

Emily,  who  had  never  before  been  fepa- 
rated  for  a  day  from  her  fofter  mother,  was 
dreadfully  harafTed  by  a  behaviour  to  which 
file  was  fo  entirely  unaccuftomed,  and  by  a 
thoufand  painful  apprehenfions  as  to  the  fate 
to  which  me  might  be  deftined.  She  was  un- 
able to  fleep,  and,  but  for  her  youth  and  vi- 
gorous conllitution,  muft  have  funk  under 
the  fatigue  and  diftrefs  which  me  fuffered. 
The  idea  of  making  her  efcape  was  conftant- 
ly  prefent  to  her,  and  particularly  during 
the  night,  when  her  conductors  were  over- 
powered with  fleep  ;  but  fhe  foon  perceived 
that  this  would  be  impracticable,  as  two  fer- 
vants,  who  fat  upon  the  box  all  day,  always 
rode  by  the  fide  of  the  carriage  at  night,  and 
waked  the  guards  within  whenever  they  came 
to  a  place  where  they  were  to  take  freih 
horfes. 


1 66  The  Mountain  GottagSr. 


Four  days  and  five  nights  they  v/ent  on  in 
this  manner,  and  poor  Emily  was  become 
extremely  weak,  when  at  the  dawn  of  the 
fifth  day  they  flopped  at  a  houfe,  without  her 
conductors  having  as  ufual  put  the  bandages 
upon  her  eyes  and  mouth.  To  her  great 
aftonifhment  and  fatisfaclion  the  door  of  the  ! 
carriage  was  opened,  and  fhe  was  urged  to 
get  out,  and  immediately  fhewn  into  a  room. 
But  her  joy  was  fcon  damped  when  fhe  heard 
that  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  houfe  fpoke  the 
fame  language,  with  which  fhe  was  daily 
tormented  by  her  conductors ;  and  fhe  was 
now  convinced  that  fhe  was  in  a  country 
where  this  was  the  native  language.  They 
brought  her  fome  coffee,  which  Ihe  fwallcw- 
.ed  with  great  eagernefs,  not  having  had  any 
thing  of  the  kind  during  her  journey  ;  and  the 
old  gentleman  took  more  pains  to  entertain 
her  than  ever.  On  Emily's  again  alluring 
him  that  fhe  did  not  underiland  one  word  of 
what  he  faid,  he  ended  the  converfation  with 
reproaches ;  and  fhe  plainly  faw  that  he 
made  complaints  of  her  behaviour  to  the 
owner  of  the  houfe,  and  fhewed  him  a  letter 
which  greatly  excited  his  furprife  ;  but  fhe 
M  as  already  fo  much  ufed  to  riddles,  that  this 
appeared  indifferent  to  her,  and,  mufmg  with- 
in herfelf,  fhe  did  not  pay  them  any  farther 
attention. 


T be  Main  ta  in  Co  t  tager,  167 


They  foon  fet  out  again  on  their  journey, 
and  travelled  now  more  leifurely,  putting  up 
regularly  at  the  inns,  where  fhe  was  liberally 
provided  with  every  thing,  and  a  particular 
table  was  always  prepared  for  her.  In  the 
evening,  as  the  old  gentleman  conducted  her 
to  a  feparate  bed  chamber,  he  gave  her  a 
parcel  of  women's  apparel,  at  fight  of  which 
fne  once  more  felt  real  pleafure.  Out  of  gra- 
titude fhe  killed  the  hand  of  the  old  man,  who 
endeavoured  to  prevent  her  fhewing  him  this 
refpecl ;  and  killing  her's  in  return,  he  then 
withdrew,  and  left  her  to  examine  the  clothes, 
which  Ihe  found  much  hanciiomer  than  thofe 
flie  had  been  accultomed  to  wear. 

One  of  Emily's  great  concerns  had  been, 
the  being  obliged  to  be  dfeffed  like  a  man; 
and  her  awkward  comical  manner  in  this 
drefs  had  Oi'ten  excited  the  fmiles  of  her  con- 
ductors, and  as  often  made  her  blufh.  A  long 
mantle,  which  they  had  given  her,  was  her 
only  coufolation,  and  me  was  never  content- 
ed but  when  me  could  cover  herfelf  in  it  en- 
tirely. Every  female,  who  imagines  herfelf 
for  a  moment  in  Emily's  fituation,  will  not 
probably  be  furprifed  tftat  ftie  put  on  this 
long  wilhed-for  drefs  direclly,  and  throwing 
herfelf  upon  the  bed,  flept  foftly  after  her  ex- 
ceffive  fatigue. 


1 68  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


On  the  evening  of  the  tenth  day,  after  this 
metamorphofis,  they  travelled  later  than 
ufual.  The  old  gentleman  was  this  day  more 
than  commonly  eloquent;  his  manner  was 
urgent,  and  often  affecting,  and  Emily  could 
underftand  plainly  that  he  was  very  folicitous 
for  an  anfwer  from  her.  But  however  wil- 
lingly fhe  would  have  gratified  him,  it  was 
not  in  her  power ;  Ihe  could  only  reply  to 
him  by  tears  and  geftures,  and  was  obliged  to 
bear  patiently  his  thrulting  her  from  him, 
and  the  renewal  of  all  his  former  threats. 
About  midnight  he  became  quiet,  and  the 
carriage  foon  Hopped  at  a  large  building, 
which  flood  in  a  wild  country,  furrounded 
with  wood. 

Emily,  who  had  hitherto  been  always  pro- 
jecting plans  for  her  efcape,  which  ihe  Hill 
hoped  to  accomplifh,  was  in  terrible  confler- 
nation  when  fhe  law  this  building,  on  account 
of  its  being  fo  entirely  different  from  all  thofe 
to  which  Ihe  had  been  habituated.  An  in- 
ward foreboding  pointed  it  out  to  her  as  the 
boundary  of  her  journey  ;  and  though  fhe 
hoped  indeed  now  for  fome  explanation  of 
this  enigmatical  affair,  Ihe  alfo  feared  to  ex- 
perience new  misfortunes.  After  knocking 
a  long  time,  and  ringing  a  great  bell,  fome- 
body  came  to  one  of  the  windows  ;  and  after 
making  many  enquiries  of  thofe  waiting  with- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  i6§ 


out,  the  door  was  at  laft  opened.  Two  wo- 
men, whofe  flrange  drefs  excited  Emily's  ad- 
miration, came  out  with  lamps  in  their  hands, 
and  received  her  as  fhe  was  lifted  out  of  the 
carriage  ;  and  likewife  a  letter,  which  was 
delivered  to  them  by  the  old  gentleman.  The 
door  was  fhut  again  directly,  and  Emily's 
aftonifhment  was  extreme,  to  find  herfelfleft 
by  ail  her  hitherto  conductors,  and  only  in  the 
company  of  the  two  women. 

They  carried  her  through  a  long  paffage, 
fparingly  lighted  by  one  lamp,  till  they  came 
to  a  little  room  which  they  forced  her  to  en- 
ter. They  talked  to  her  for  fome  time,  but 
flie  did  not  underftand  them,  and  the}  were 
as  much  at  a  lofs  when  fhe  anfwered  them  in 
German.  At  length  they  left  tier  alone,  and 
her  diftrefs  and  fear  were  much  increafed 
when  fhe  began  to  examine  her  room  nar- 
rowly. In  one  corner  of  it  there  was  a  ftraw 
bed,  upon  which  lay  an  indifferent  woollen 
cover  ;  next  to  this  ftood  a  little  altar,  and 
upon  it  there  were  a  crucifix  and  fome  other  - 
images :  a  fmall  wooden  table  and  a  ftool 
completed  the  inventory  of  the  furniture  of 
this  place.  My  readers  will  immediately  un- 
derftand that  Emily  was  in  the  cell  of  a  con- 
vent ;  but  tiiis  fne  could  not  guefs,  as  fhe 
was  educated  in  the  Proteftant  religion,  and 
from  her  youth  had  lived  in  a  folitude,  where 


i7o 


The  Mountain  Cottager, 


fhe  never  even  faw  any  Catholic  clergy,  or 
could  acquire  any  idea  of  a  cloifter.  It  was 
not  at  that  time  the  cuftom  of  writers  to  make 
romantic  hillories  of  Monks  and  Nuns,  and. 
confequently  ihe  could  not,  through  fuch  me- 
diums, become  acquainted  with  the  cuftom 
and  appearance  of  convents.  It  is  eafy  to 
pardon  her,  therefore,  if  ihe  feared  and  be- 
lieved, from  this  indifferent  furniture,  that 
ihe  was  in  a  prifon,  and  gave  herfelf  up  to 
forrow.  She  ran  to  the  window,  to  breathe 
the  free  air,  and  tranquillize  her  beating 
heart ;  but  the  clofe  grate  which  furrounded 
it  frightened  her  back,  and  contributed  to 
confirm  her  the  more  in  her  terrible  conjec- 
ture. 

It  was  paft  midnight,  and  fhe  was  extreme- 
ly tired  with  her  long  journey,  but  yet  found 
no  inclination  to  lleep.  She  ftarted  indeed 
with  horror  from  the  bed,  upon  which,  ac- 
cording to  the  fuggefiions  of  her  ardent  ima- 
gination, many  innocent  victims  had  lain 
convulfed  with  agony.  As  fhe  was  dwelling 
on  this  idea,  (lie  all  on  a  fudden  heard  the 
found  of  a  dull  bell,  and  foon  after  a  noife  in 
the  whole  building,  fucceeded  by  a  murmur 
of  praying  mournfully.  This  (lie  immediate- 
ly concluded  to  be  the  carrying  lb  me  poor 
imner  to  the  place  of  execution,  having  often 
heard  from  her  fofter-mother  accounts  of  this 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  171 


kind ;  and,  fuppofmg  herfelf  to  be  now  in 
clanger  of  a  fimilar  fate,  fhe  funk  to  the  ground 
in  a  fwoon. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  Nuns  found  her 
in  a  lamentable  fituation ;  the  fatigue  and 
terror  that  fhe  had  undergone  had  brought 
on  a  violent  fever,  attended  with  delirium  ; 
fhe  raved  dreadfully,  and  fancied  every  Nun 
who  came  near  her,  was  one  of  the  fervants 
of  the  executioner.  Thefe  feeble  creatures 
could  with  difficulty  get  her  into  bed,  and 
they  were  obliged  to  gird  her  down  in  order 
to  keep  her  there. 

In  this  manner  lay  the  poor  loll  Emi!y, 
flowly  knguilhing  out  her  exiflence  ;  for  all 
the  affiftance  which  the  Nuns  attempted  to 
adminifter  to  her,  and  that  of  the  fpiritual 
and  bodily  phyficians,  who  were  called  in  to 
her  directly,  was  of  no  avail,  for  the  fever 
continued  to  rage  unabatedly,  and  the  deli- 
rium increafed.  On  the  twentieth  day  of 
her  fuffering  fhe  received  general  absolution, 
and  the  extreme  unclion,  without  being  at  all 
fenfible  of  what  they  were  doing  to  her ;  and 
on  the  evening  of  the  fame  day,  the  Nuns  an- 
nounced to  the  Abbefs  that  the  fick  ftranger 
was  even  then  expiring. 


172 


The  Mountain  C&ttager. 


CHAR  XVI. 


f  HE  flumbering  powers  of  juftice  having 
been  once  more  awakened  in  Italy  again  ft 
the  daring  banditti,  the  former  colleagues  of 
Jacob,  they  continued,  after  his  departure,  to 
experience  fo  vigorous  a  profecution,  that, 
no  longer  finding  any  profpecl:  of  fafety  in 
their  native  land,  the  majority  of  them  re- 
folved  to  follow  the  example  of  their  re- 
nowned companion,  and  retire  till  the  ftorm 
was  laid  ;  and  in  the  meantime  determined  to 
pay  him  a  vifit  in  Germany.  cc  We  may  pof- 
fibly,"  faid  they  among  themfelves,  "  find 
fomething  to  do  there  ;  the  cold-blooded 
Germans  will  perhaps  fuffer  us  quietly  to 
gain  a  livelihood  on  their  highways  till  we 
can  return  hither  without  danger." 

Jacob'  was  very  much  furprifed  one  day  at 
meeting  two  of  his  molt  intimate  comrades  in 
one  of  the  ftreets  of  the  capital,  and  to  learn 
from  them  that  there  were  twenty  others  be- 
fides  themfelves  likewife  in  the  neighbour- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  173 


hood.  Their  joy  at  this  unexposed  rencon- 
tre was  much  greater  than  his,  becaule  hq 
had  at  that  time  firmly  refolded  never  to  en- 
gage in  robbery  and  murder  again,  but  to  en- 
joy his  lately  acquired  fortune  in  quiet.  But 
in  this  company  he  was  fdon  induced  to  give 
up  his  refoiution,  and  to  unite  in  their 
fcheme  of  highway  robbery.  He  carried 
them  into  a  wood  through  which  the  road  to 
Saxony  lay  ;  and  before  the  c'ofe  of  the  f}r$ 
day,  after  they  were  lodged  there,  this  ban- 
ditti, eager  for  prey,  had  robbed  three  car- 
riages, and  murdered  as  many  men.  Thefe 
unufual  accounts  frightened  the  whole  coun- 
try ;  every  one  talked  of  thefe  murders,  and 
every  one  armed  themfelves  again!!  trie  mur- 
derers. 

As  one  of  the  banditti  ventured  once  into 
a  village  to  buy  provilions,  he  was,  on  fome 
iufpicious  circumflances,  arretted  by  the 
peafants,  as  one  of  the  perpetrators  of  thefe 
recent  murders,  and  carried  before,  the  ma- 
giilrate  to  be  examined.  When  the  reft  of 
the  troop  heard  from  their  trusty  Jacob, 
that  their  comrade  would  be  conveyed  in  the 
evening  from  the  village  Judge  to  the  office 
of  the  inquifition,  they  waited  in  the  road 
for  him  ;  and  while  they  believed  that  they 
were  refcuing  their  comrade,  they  let  poor 
Wolfgang  at  liberty,  who  was  then  carried 
x  *» 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


as  a  prifoner  the  fame  way.  His  efcape 
therefore  was  no  more  fupernatural  than  his 
being  taken  up  for  a  thief  on  entering  the 
ale  houfe  of  the  village,  wrapt  in  the  very 
mantle  which  had  been  Rolen  from  the  hott, 
or  than  his  being  fufpected  as  a  murderer,, 
after  the  defcription  given  of  him  by  Captain 
.  Wildner. 

Wolfgang  was  at  that  time  unknown  to 
himfelf,  carried  to  the  cattle  of  the  Countefa 
von  M — : — ,  becaufe  the  village  in  which 
they  arretted  him  lay  within  her  jurisdiction, 
and  there,  as  my  readers  will  recollect,  he 
was  confined  in  a  cave  for  want  of  a  better 
prifon.  In  this  cave,  according  to  the  ac- 
count of  a  foreigner,  a  huntfman  who  had 
often  fojourned  there,  a  great  treafure  was 
burned.  The  lleward  of  the  Countefs,  who 
had  often,  as  he  waited  on  her  at  table,, 
heard  her  talk  of  the  great  treafure  which 
lay  concealed  in  this  country,  heard  about 
this  time  from  a  peafant  what  was  faid  by 
the  huntfman,  in  confequence  of  which,  he 
lent  for  hirn  direclly.  The  huntfman  not 
only  maintained  the  truth  of  his  account, 
but  allured  the  fieward  that  this  treafure 
might  eafily  be  obtained  ;  and  he  engaged  to 
fearch  for  it,  for  him,  if  he  would  give  him  a 
new  coat  and  waiftcoat,  fome  linen,  twelve 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


*75 


new  dollars,  and  fix  new  ducats  for  the  fpi- 
rit  who  guarded  it. 

The  fteward  agreed  to  every  thing,  and 
promifed  to  bring  the  prefent  with  him  to  the 
place ;  and  the  cunning  huntfman  hoped  to 
efcape  with  it,  and  elude  the  expected  per- 
formance of  his  engagement.  The  fun  pie 
fteward  was  in  his  room,  preparing  himfelf 
by  praving  and  tinging,  for  this  undertaking, 
when  Wolfgang  was  brought  prifoner  to  the 
caftle,  and  without  his  knowledge  confined  in 
the  cave.  When  he  came,  equipped  with  his 
prefent,  and  whatever  eife  was  requifite  for 
their  employment,  to  the  door  of  this  place, 
which  was  ufually  open,  and  found  it  barred, 
the  huntfman,  who  was  eager  for  the  prize, 
afliired  him  that  this  was  the  only  night  that 
the  treafure  could  be  railed  "without  danger  ; 
and  advifed  that  they  ihould  go  down  through 
the  air-hole  of  the  cave,  which  was  refolved 
on,  and  they  enlarged  it  with  their  tools  for 
this  purpofe. 

The  huntfman  who  had  often  pracli  fed 
frauds  of  this  kind,  was  drefled  as  a  forcerer, 
in  order  to  make  more  imprefiion  on  the 
foolifh  {reward.  Wolfgang,  whole  imagina- 
tion was  full  of  forccfers,  really  took  him  for 
one,  and,  terrified  at  the  fight  of  him,  uttered 
a  violent  ejaculation,  which  equally  terrify- 


Ij6  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


ing  them,  they  made  their  efcape  as  fad  as 
poffible,  leaving  all  their  things  behind  them, 
and  thus  pointed  out  to  Wolfgang  the  means 
of  effecling  his  efcape,  and  left  him  in  poffef- 
fion  of  their  bundle,  which  he  took  away 
with  him. 

The  village  hod,  whom  Jacob  impofed  on 
with  his  well  invented  tale,  and  who,  by  his 
loquacity  had  occafioned  fo  much  refpect  to 
be  paid  to,  and  lb  many  misfortunes  to  befall 
poor  Wolfgang,  met  Jacob  the  morning  after 
this  adventure.  He  told  him  that  the  young 
Marquis  was  actually  arrived,  in  the  charac- 
ter of  a  moufe-trap  and  hatchel  dealer,  and 
had  ftaid  or,e  night  at  his  houfe* 

Jacob  liftened  attentively  to  this  account,, 
and  learnt,  on  further  enquiry,  that,  not- 
withftanding  his  promife,  his  neighbour  had 
not  kept  his  fecret,  but  had  related  the  h'uio- 
ry  that  he  entrusted  him  with,  to  oaiers  ;  and 
that  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal^  and  the 
Countefs  von  M  ,  were  now  eagerly  en- 
deavouring to  d.coy  the  fuppofed  Marquis 
to  their  houfes,  that  they  might  create  to 
themfelves,  by  their  attention,  an  ample 
claim  to  his  remunerations.  He  promifed 
his  neighbour,  who  was  jealous  of  this,  to 
take  an  opportunity  of  informing  the  young 


TJje  Mountain  Cottager.  ij] 


Marquis  of  thefe  defigns,  and  then  flattened 
forwards. 

Sooner  or  later  thought  Jacob,  as  he  went 
along,  it  will-  be  difcovered,  that  the  Mar- 
quis, whofe  coming  I  have  foretold,  is  only  a 
poor  moufe-trap  and  hatchel-dealer,  and  I 
fhall  then  be  known  for  a  liar,  and  perhaps 
draw  on  myfelf  a  judicial  examination.  It 
will  be  belt,  therefore,  that  I  prevent  this 
difcovery,  by  removing  the  object  who  would 
occafion  it  out  of  the  way.  He  confulted 
with  his  comrades  on  this,  and  went  out, 
with  one  of  them,  to  fearch  for  the  innocent 
creature  who  was  to  be  their  facrifice.  They 
went  with  this  view  through  the  wood  be- 
longing the  Couivefs  von  M  ,  and  faw, 

from  a  little  di fiance,  Wolfgang  and  Emily 
come  down  the  hill  together.  They  recog- 
nized their  victim  diredly,  and  Healing  near, 
{tabbed  him  twice  with  a  dagger,  and  left 
him,  as  they  hoped,  dead.  They  purpofely 
fpared  Emily,  that  (he  might  fpread  the  new7s 
of  his  death  in  the  country,  and  iikewife  the 
belief  that  he  was  really  a  perfon  of  emi- 
nence, becaufe  he  was  murdered  without  be- 
ing robbed,  by  two  men  in  mafks,  who  called 
him  Marquis. 


178 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


C    II   A   P.  XVII., 


J  j€)VE  acknowledges  no  rank,  no  laws ; 
it  derides  all  threats,  defies  all  dangers,  and 
overcomes  all  the  impediments,  which  like  a 
barrier,  eppofe  themfeJves  again  ft  it.  If  any 
evidence  were  yet  wanting  of  the  truth  of  a 
proportion  already  fa  clearly  proved,  it  is 
Hill  farther  confirmed. by  the  hiftory  of  the. 
young  Duchels  R — — ,  which  I  fiiall  now 
relate,  to  my  readers. 

The  Duke  of  R  ,  her  father,  was 

a  man  of  the  fipfl  rank  and  fortune  in 
Italy.-  She  was  his  only  child,  and  the 
heirefs  to  his  great  property  ;  in  addition  to 
which,  me  was  univerfaHy  allowed  to  be  one 
of  the  moft  beautiful  women  of  her  time. 
With  thefe  attractions,  it  was  not  furprifmg 
that  a  multitude  of  lovers  facrificed  to  her 
charms  the  incenfe  of  flattery  and  adoration  ; 
and  that  themoftdiftinguimed  families  in  Italy 
courted  her  alliance.  But  to  all  this  homage 
Hie  wras  infenfible ;  for  me  had  long  loved  in 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  ijy 


fecret,  with  the  tendered  affection,  a  young 
Marquis,  who  was  indeed  extremely  hand- 
fome,  but  fo  poor,  that  for  want  of  any  other 
means  of  living,  he  had  for  fome  years  ferved 
her  father  as  his  mailer  of  the  horfe.  She, 
who  had  before  feldom  rode  out,  now  found 
her  only  pleafure  in  this  exercife,  which  gave 
her  an  opportunity  of  being  in  the  company 
of  this  beloved  object ;  a  part  of  whofe  fer- 
vice  it  was,  to  ride  by  the  fide  of  any  of  the 
family  when  they  went  out  on  hcrfeback. 
Often  when  they  went  through  a  folitary 
wood  in  this  manner,  fhe  would  purpofely 
by  a  quick  gallop,  leave  the  hoft  of  fervants 
far  behind  them  ;  and  when  they  were  thus 
alone,  her  ufual  timidity  gave  way  to  an  elo- 
quent, but  yet  perfectly  modeft  expreftion  in 
her  fine  countenance,  of  the  inward  fenti- 
ments  of  her  heart. 

The  happy  mailer  of  the  horfe  at  I  aft  un- 
derftood  her,  and  thefe  young  inexperienced 
children  foon  gave  themlelves  up  entirely  to 
the  guidance  of  their  tender  paffion.  As 
they  frequently  loft  themfelves  in  the  thick- 
ell  parts  of  the  woods.,  and  were  fome  hours 
before  they  returned  to  their  followers,  the 
moft  attentive  of  thefe  probably  conceiv- 
ed fufpicions  of  them,  ?,nd  immediately  im- 
parted their  conjectures  to  the  old  Duke. 
Without  giving  any  reafon  for  it  to  his  daugh* 


zSo 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


ter,  he  difmiflfed  the  mailer  of  the  horfe  di- 
rectly from  his  fervice,  and  hoped,  in  this 
manner,  to  avoid  making  the  affair  public, 
and  put  an  end  at  once  to  what  he  thought  a 
mere  romance.  But  this  precaution  came 
too  late  ;  a  month  fooner  perhaps  the  young 
Duchefs  might  have  been  able  to  forget  her 
lover,  but  now  fhe  was  reminded  of  him  eve- 
ry day,  every  hour,  by  the  confequences  of 
their  pafilon,  which,  together  with  the  an- 
guifh  occafioned  her  by  this  feparation,  made 
the  unfortunate  Marquis  a  thoufand  times 
more  dear  to  her.  She  foon  found  an  oppor- 
tunity of  writing  to  him,  and  in  this  letter  fo- 
lemnly  avowed  not  to  expofe  herfelf  to  the 
dreaded  wrath  of  her  parents,  but  to  follow 
the  impulfe  of  her  aHedtions,  and  fly  with 
him  into  the  wide  world.  Full  of  anxiety, 
Hie  made  preparations  for  this  flight  with  the 
greateft  caution  and  expedition,  and  when 
fhe  accomplished  it,  took  with  her  all  her 
jewels,  and  a  cafket  of  her  father's  full  of  gold. 

When  the  old  Duke  heard  of  the  elope- 
ment of  his  only  child,  he  was  quite  raving, 
and  fwore  to  facrifice  all  his  fortune  if  he 
could  but  fee  her  again,  and  take  his  revenge 
on  her,  and  the  companion  of  her  flight.  He 
fent  out  fcouts  after  them  to  all  countries, 
fupplied  them  with  large  funis  of  money,  and 
made  them  take  an  oath  not  to  return  with- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  18 1 


out  the  delinquents.  But  one  after  another 
returned  without  having  attained  their  obje&, 
till  the  houfe  governor  of  the  Duke  was  the 
only  one  ft  ill  remaining  in  purfuit  of  them. 
His  letters  were  the  fole  comfort,  the  forlorn 
hope  of  the  diffracted  father  ;  for  this  man  al- 
ways wrote  word  that  he  was  on  the  track 
of  the  fugitives,  and  expected  yet  to  overtake 
them. 

This  auftere,  but  faithful  fervant,  had  cho- 
fen  four  men  in  Italy  for  his  companions, 
whofe  capacities  for  fuch  a  fervice  he  knew 
from  experience  ;  and  with  the  afliftance  of 
thefe  excellent  blood-hounds,  he  had  always 
difcovered  the  route  of  the  perfecuted  lovers, 
who  perceiving  that  they  were  followed,  con- 
tinued their  flight  without  intermiffion.  They 
had  already  wandered  through  France,  and 
the  greater  half  of  Germany,  when  they  ar- 
rived at  Leipfic  ;  and  here,  as  they  had  not 
for  a-  long  time  had  any  frefh  alarm  of  being 
purfued,  they  refolved  to  reft. 

In  the  fame  hotel  at  which  the  Marquis 
and  the  Dutchefs  put  up,  lodged  the  Baron- 

efs  von  Z  ,  from  Drefden.    This  Lady, 

attracted  by  the  angelic  countenance,  and 
the  whole  appearance  of  the  Dutchefs,  fought 
to  become  acquainted  with  her,  and  me, 
happy  to  meet  with  fuch  a  perfon  in  a  foreign 

a 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


country,  who  appeared  to  take  a  cordial  in- 
terelt  in  her  fete,  encouraged  this  acquaint- 
ance, which  foon  became  a  iincere  friendfhip. 
As  the  Dutchefs  was  one  day  about  to  open 
her  whole  heart  to  the  Baronefs,  the  Mar- 
quis came  into  the  room  in  great  embarraff- 
ment,  and  in  a  few  words  made  known  to 
her,  that  her  father's  old  houle-governor  was 
that  moment  arrived  at  Leipfic,  and  had  put 
up  at  a  neighbouring  hotel.  "  I  pafied  by," 
added  the  terrified  Marquis,  "  as  he  Hepped 
out  of  the  carriage,  and  can  hardly  doubt  but 
that  he  mull  have  feen  and  known  me." 

This  account  overwhelmed  the  Dutchefs 
with  affliction  ;  and  as  the  amiable  Baronefs 
enquired  into  the  cauie  of  her  dhlrefs,  they 
revealed  their  fituation  to  her,  and  entreated 
to  have  her  advice  and  protection.  u  I  will 
endeavour,"  faid  the  Baroneis,  quite  affected, 
"  to  procure  you  an  afylum.  You  mult  fly, 
but  l3y  in  fuch  a  mariner  that  your  followers 
ihall  not  be  able  to  difcover  you  any  more. 
On  the  populous  highways  from  one  great 
town  to  another,  you  will  always  be  tracked, 
and  never  enjoy  any  relh  I  have  a  friend  in 
Bayreuth,  who,  like  you,  has  felt  die  power 
of  love ;  and  I  will  fend  you  to  her,  where 
you  will  be  kindly  received,  and  may  live  fe- 
'Curely  under  her  protection  till  this  liorm  is 
over,  and  the  anger  of  your  parents  is  fotten- 


The  Mountain  Cottager,  183 


ed."  The}7  thanked  her  moft  cordially  for 
this  advice  and  ailiiiance,  and  let  out  die  lame 
night.  The  Baronefs  fent  her  gentleman  with 
them,  and  gave  them  a  letter  to  the  Counteis 

von  M  ;  for  this  was  the  friend  to  whole 

attention  fhe  recommended  them. 

This  old  fervant,  who  knew  all  the  bye- 
roads,  conducted  them  happily  over  the 
frontiers,  and  they  almoft  believed  themfelves 
out  of  the  reach  of  danger,  as  they  were  now 
not  above  five  miles  from  the  CountciVs  caf- 
tie,  when  they  were  flopped  in  a  wood  by 
fix  men  in  mafks.  Theie  were  fome  of  Ja- 
cob's comrades,  who  were  lurking  here  for 
booty,  and  hoped  to  obtain  it  from  theie 
travellers  ;  but  this  time  their  expectations 
were  deceived.  The  Marquis's  fervants  wt  !-e 
well  armed,  and  refilling  their  attack,  wound- 
ed them  fo  live  rely,  that  they  were  glad  to 
leek  their  fatetv  in  flight,  though  im fortu- 
nately not  till  they  had  wounded  the  Mar- 
quis, whofe  only  fohcitude  had  been  to  pro- 
tect the  Duchefs  from  their  aflauks. 

Being  apprehenfive  that  this  might  be  the 
party  fent  after  them  by  the  Duke,  and  that 
they  would  return  to  the  purfuit  of  them,  the 
Marquis  entreated  the  fervants  to  drive  on 
again  with  the  utmolt  fpeed.  The  blood  was 
all  this  time  flowing  fall  from  his  wouads, 


184 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


and  when  they  came  to  the  end  of  the  wood, 
they  ventured  to  make  a  paufe,  that  they 
might  endeavour  to  Hop  it.  But  he,  more 
anxious  about  his  beloved  Dutchefs  than  for 
himfelf,  faid  earneftly,  "  Do  not  mind  me, 
but  afl&ft  her,  and  fave  her  if  poffible  ;  for  I 
fear  much  that  this  alrrtn  may  bring  on  her 
premature  delivery,  and  make  our  farther 
progrefs  im  poffible." 

The  Baronefs's  gentleman  was  of  the  fame 
opinion,  and  therefore  advifed  the  hiring  a 
carnage  in  the  next  village,  11  in  which,"  he 
added,  "  I  will  carry  the  Dutchefs  to  the 
Countefs's,  where  fhe  will  find  fafety  and 
confolation  in  the  arms  of  a  friend,  while  you 
go  on  to  the  nearefl  town,  and  put  yourfelf 
under  the  care  of  a  furgeon.  I  will  come  to 
you  there,  and  if  your  wounds  do  not  prevent 
it ;  will  conduct  you  unnoticed  to  the  caftle, 
and  thus  fruftrate  all  further  purfuit." 

The  Marquis  approved  of  this  plan,  and 
conjured  the  gentleman  to  put  it  into  execu- 
tion without  delay,  as  he  found  his  wounds 
grow  fo  extremely  painful  as  absolutely  to 
require  affiftance.  They  were  juft  fetting  off 
a.^ain,  as  a  well  dreffed  farmer  paffed  them 
in  a  light  carriage.  The  gentleman  called  to 
him,  and  afked  if  he  would,  for  double  the 
ufual  pay,  carry  a  lady,  who  was  taken  ill 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  185 

in  confequence  of  a  fright,  to  the  Cotmtefe 

von  M  's  caflle.    The  man  inflantly 

agreed  to  it,  and  they  all  rejoiced  that  lb  fa- 
vourable an  opportunity  had  occurred  to 
forward  their  fcheme.  The  frill  feinting 
Dutchefs  was  put  into  the  carriage  directly, 
and  the  gentleman  feated  himl  rlf  by  her  ;  and 
in  their  hurry  a  little  medicine  cheft,  in  the 
form  of  a  chatulle,  was  all  that  they  took 
with  them.  The  poor  Marquis  was  thus 
parted  from  this  beloved  object  without  be- 
ing able  to  bid  her  farewell ;  but  the  h ope  of 
feeing  her  again  foon  made  him  fupport  this 
feparation  .with  tolerable  fortitude. 

It  is  with  forrow  that  Tacquaint  my  read- 
ers of  thefe  hopes  being  difappointed,  from 
t  h  e  u  n  fo  rt  u  n  at e  c  i  r  c  u  m  ft  a  n  c  e  o  f  t  h  e  Du  t  c  h  e  i  s '  s 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  formidable  Ja- 
cob; for  he  was  the  man  in  whofe  carriage 
me  was  placed,  it  was  in  the  Kiternitig  of 
this  day  that  he  had  murdered  poor  Wolf- 
gang, and  he  was  now  going  to  viftthis  com- 
rades in  the  wood,  to  hear  what  they  had 
made  of  their  day's  work.  The  prefent  op- 
portunity of  acquiring,  in  all  probability,  a 
confidcrable  booty,  was  too  enticing  for  him 
to  let  it  pals  by  unemployed.  He  purpofely 
carried  his  charge  the  wrong  way  ;  and  flop- 
ping  in  a  remote  part  of  the  park,  while  the 
gentleman  was  bufy  in  endeavouring  10  re- 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


vive  the  Duchefs,  he  thruft  daggers  into  the 
hearts  of  both  of  them.  His  firf!  care,  after 
this  deed,  was  to  fecure  all  the  property  of 
the  deceafed,  and  then  to  conceal  their  bo- 
dies. He  carried  the  murdered  gentleman  a 
considerable  way  to  a  fiream  of  water,  which 
he  knew  to  be  of  a  great  depth  ;  but  as  this 
fatigued  him  very  much,  and  the  fear  of  being 
diicovered  filled  him  with  anxiety,  he  threw 
the  body  of  the  Duchefs  into  a  neighbouring 
fliaft,  which  he  thought  deep  enough  to  con- 
ceal his  villainy  from  all  the  world.  He  then 
haiiened  to  his  companions,  to  whom  he 
gave  an  account  of  this  tran facYion  ;  but  be- 
ing at  the  fame  time  alarmed  letl  the  hand  of 
Juilice  mould  be  raifed  againft  them  by  the 
friends  of  thefe  victims,  and  that  they  fhould 
be  furprifed  in  their  retreat,  he  warned  them 
of  this,  and  advifag  them  o  retire  for  a  few 
days,  affitted  himfeif  in  carrying  fuch  of  them 
as  were  wounded  over  the  frontiers.  Thence 
it  came,  that  the  huntfmen  and  peafants,  who 
fearched  the  wood  the  next  day,  found  no 
traces  of  the  robbers. 

\ 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


187 


CHAP.  XVIII. 


HE  wounded  Marquis,  not  meeting- 
with  a  furgeon  in  the  next  town,  and  perceiv- 
ing his  debility  increaie,  difpatched  the  Nota- 
ry from  thence,  with  all  the  jewels  which  he 
had  with  him,  befides  a  large  film  of  money, 

to  the  Countefs  von  M  ,  with  whom  he 

flattered  himfelf  the  Dutchefs  was  then  ar- 
rived in  fafety,  and  whom  he  wilhed,  in  cafe 
of  his  death,  to  fecure  from  all  danger  of  fu- 
ture want ;  and  as  her  name  was  Emily, 
from  thence  arofe  the  miftake  of  the  Coun- 
tefs, already  known  to  my  readers,  in  fuppoi- 
ing  this  depofit  was  a  prefent  to  her  daugh- 
ter. He  let  out  again  direclly,  and  took  the 
road  to  a  little  Saxon  town,  where,  accord- 
ing to  the  account  of  his  holt,  he  would  find 
a  fkilful  furgeon  :  but  too  much  enfeebled  by 
the  Jofs  of  blood,  he  died  after  the  firft  dref- 
fmg  of  his  wounds.  He  had  previoufly  di- 
vided the  remainder  of  his  money  amongft 
his  fervants,  and  advifed  them  to  withdraw 
immediately  after  his  death,  that  they  might 


1 88  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


elude  the  fearch  of  the  Duke's  emiflaries,  and 
thus  efcape  his  vengeance.  To  one  of  them 
he  confided  a  ring  of  great  value,  and  a  let- 
ter to  the  Countefs  von  M  ,  in  which  he 

informed  her  of  his  approaching  fate,  and  con- 
jured her  to  be  a  mother  to  his  Emily,  and 
earneftly  de fired,  that  in  her  prefent  circum- 
llances  fhe  might  not  be  informed  of  his 
death. 

This  treacherous  fervant  refolved  to  make 
his  advantage  of  this  truft ;  and  firit  deii rov- 
ing the  letter,  he  went  to  Leipfic  in  order  to 
fell  the  ring,  and  then  intended  to  return  to 
his  native  country.  As  he  was  going  through 
one  of  the  ftreets  of  this  town,  he  was  met  by 
companions  of  the  Duke's  houfe  governor, 
who  knowing  him  directly  for  an  Italian, 
foon  made  an  acquaintance  with  him,  and 
heard,  over  a  glafs  of  wine,  the  whole  hifto- 
ry  of  his  unfortunate  mailer ;  and  that  the 
young  Dutchefs,  for  he  could  not  guefs  to 
the  contrary,  was  with  the  Countefs  von 

M  ,  and  there  expected  the  arrival  of 

the  Marquis. 

•Rejoiced  at  this  difcovery,  they  carried  the 
traitor  directly  to  the  bed  of  their  fick  chief, 
who  was  fo  enfeebled  by  the  unufual  fatigue, 
of  their  haraiTmg  journey,  that  he  had  been 
confined  to  it  for  many  days.  Bis  illnefs  had 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  189 


rather  been  a  check  to  their  enquiries  after 
the  fugitives,  and  he  already  feared  to  have 
loft  all  traces  of  them,  when  he  was  unex- 
pectedly delighted  by  this  account.  He  pro- 
mifed  the  betrayer  a  thoufand  fequins,  if  he 
would,  by  craft,  get  the  Dutchefs  into  their 
hand;  and  he  immediately  undertook  this, 
and  the  plan  of  carrying  her  off'  was  projected 
the  fame  night. 

As  the  houfe-governor  had  no  expectation 
of  being  able  to  travel  at  prefent,  and  wilh- 
ed  not  to  lofe  any  time  in  the  execution  of 
this  fcheme,  he  confided  the  profecution  of 
it  to  one  of  his  comrades,  who  was  once 
Captain  to  the  conftable  of  Mantua,  and  who 
knew  very  well  how  to  conduct  an  enterprize 
of  this  kind.  He  had  three  companions 
with  him,  whofe  courage  he  had  already 
proved  on  fimilar  occafions,  but  who  all,  like 
himfelf  were  unacquainted  with  the  perfon 
of  the  young  Dutchefs.  The  houfe-governor 
promifed  to  follow  them  as  foon  as  he  was 
well  enough  ;  and  if  he  mould  not  overtake 
them  on  the  road,  he  ordered  them  to  carry 
their  prifoner  to  the  Convent  della  Redemp- 
tione,  to  the  Abbefs  of  which  he  gave  them  a 
letter.  He  alfo  gave  them  letters  to  the  Duke, 
and  furnilhed  them  with  money  in  abundance 
for  their  journey.  One  of  them  went  for- 
ward, in  order  to  befpeak  horfes  at  the  ftage 


The  Mountain  Co'tager. 


neareft  to  the  Counted  von  M  H  caftle; 

and  their  informer,  who  knew  the  road,  was 
to  be  their  coachman.  The  careful  houfe- 
governor  commanded  them  to  ufe  the  great- 
eft  precaution  in  all  Protei'iant  countries, 
becaufe  he  had  an  idea  that  the  young  Dutch- 
els,  who  fpoke  German  fluently,  would  be 
immediately  refcued  and  protected,  if  fhe 
called  for  afljrcance,  and  offered  to  adopt 
that  belief.  He  provided  them  with  both 
men's  and  woman's  clothes  for  her  ;  and 
charged  them  to  drefs  her  as  a  man  till  they 
got  into  Italy.  From  the  firft  itage,  where 
the  betrayer  was  to  receive  his  reward  if 
they  accomplished  their  project.,  he  engaged 
to  come  back  to  Leipfic  with  the  horfes,  and 
acquaint  the  houfe-governor  with  their  fuc- 
cefs. 

They  fat  out  on  the  third  day,  and  arrived 
in  the  evening  of  the  fifth,  ju'ft  at  twilight, 
at  a  little  diliance  from  the  Gountefs  von 
M  's  cafHe.  According  to  their  pre-con- 
certed plan,  the  traitor  was  to  go  thither, 
and  to  fay  in  fecret  to  the  Dutchels,  that  the 
Marquis,  who  was  much  better,  had  dif- 
patched  him  to  warn  her  of  the  Gountefs,  as 
he  had  certain  proof  that  flie  was  in  un- 
demanding with  the  emifTaries  of  her  father, 
and  would  ihortly  deliver  her  to  them.  That 
he  therefore  conjured  her  to  follow  his  mef- 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  191 


fenger  privately  to  the  carriage,  in  which  he 
was  waiting  not  hs  oft',  to  receive  her  with 
Open  arms.  In  this  trap  they  all  hoped  the 
inexperienced  Dutchefs  would  be  caught,  be- 
caufe  this  faithlefs  lervant  was  confided  in  by 
the  Marquis  ;  and,  on  account  of  his  know- 
ledge of  the  German  language,  had  been  ve- 
ry valuable  to  them. 

He  ftole  down  the  cattle  avenue  with  this 
view,  as  Emily  was  walking  there  bewail- 
ing her  Wolfgang.  The  lhade  of  the  trees, 
and  the  pale  illufive  light  of  the  moon,  led 
him  into  the  error  of  fuppofrng  her  to  be 
the  young  Dutchefs  ;  and  he  returned  to  his 
comrades  to  give  them  an  account  of  this 
fortunate  incident.  Quite  delighted  at  this 
information,  they  went  foftlv  down  the  walk, 
and  leized  Emily  jult  as  lhe  was  feating 
herielf  upon  a  bank  of  turf.  That  the  error 
refpedinu.  ner  was  not  immediately  detected, 
arofe  from  the  circumltance  which  I  have  al- 
ready mentioned,  of  none  of  thefe  men,  ex- 
cepting her  own  treacherous  fervant,  know- 
ing the  Dutchefs  ;  and  he  had  now  remained 
with  the  carriage  in  order  to  be  ready  in  his 
office,  as  coachman,  to  fet  off  the  moment 
that  they  had  lecuted  her. 

As  they  undreffed  Emily  in  the  wood,  this 
traitor  firft  perceived  his  miftake,  and  was 


192  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


more  than  once  half  inclined  to  difcover  it  to 
his  comrades  ;  but  as  he  confidered  that  he 
fhould  thereby  lofe  his  promifed  recompence, 
he  refolved  to  keep  his  own  fexret.  Be  the 
unkown  who  (he  will,  he  thought,  me  will  at 
laft  be  known  ;  and  whatever  fhe  may  have 
endured,  will  probably  be  made  ample 
amends  for  it.  He  let  them  go  on  therefore, 
and  when  they  were  happily  arrived  at  the 
deflined  ftage,  with  fome  trepidation  he  alked 
for  his  reward  ;  and  when  he  had  obtained 
this,  he  promifed  indeed  to  carry  the  account 
of  their  proceedings  to  the  houfe-governor ; 
but  inftead  of  doing  it,  he  left  the  horfes  to 
run  in  the  next  wood,  and  went  directly  to 
Tyrol,  on  his  way  to  his  native  town. 

His  departure  made  it  impolfible  for  Emily 
and  her  conductors  to  come  to  any  explana- 
tion, as  none  of  them  understood  a  word  of 
German,  and  fhe  as  little  of  Italian.  Not- 
withftanding  this  centainly  doubtful  circum- 
ftance,  it  never  came  into  the  mind  of  the 
other  wife  fenfible  Captain,  that  there  was 
any  miftake  in  this  affair ;  for  he  was  firmly 
convinced  that  the  Dutchefs  was  only  acting 
a  part,  becaufe  Ihe  faw  herfelf  amongil  Gran- 
gers, whom  fhe  thought  fhe  could  miflead  by 
atFecYmg  a  total  ignorance  of  her  native  lan- 
guage. Emily's  eyes,  her  hair,  her  whole 
countenance,  her  fize,  anfweredfo  exa&ly  to 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  193 


the  defcription  of  the  fugitive,  which  he  had 
often  ftudied  with  great  attention,  that  to 
que  (lion  this  being  her,  feemed  almoft  impof- 
fible ;  and  if  he  ever  had  any  doubts  of  it, 
they  were  all  at  an  end  when  he  faw  a  dia- 
mond crofs  upon  her  neck,  exactly  corref- 
ponding  to  that  defcribed  as  worn  by  the 
Dutchefs,  and  winch  Emily  had  taken  from 
amongft  the  jewels  fent  by  the  Marquis,  re- 
folving  to  wear  it  as  an  everlafting  remem- 
brance of  him.  The  impenetrable  diffimula- 
tion  of  his  pri loner,  therefore,  added  much  to 
her  offence  in  the  eyes  of  her  cond actor,  and 
he  often,  for  hours  together,  endeavoured  in 
vain  to  imprefs  her  with  this  idea. 

The  joy  of  the  old  Duke  was  very  great 
when  he  heard  from  the  Captain  of  his 
daughter's  being  found,  and  placed  in  the 
convent.  In  the  violence  of  his  anger,  on  her 
firft  going  off,  he  had  threatened  to  murder 
her  with  his  own  hand  if  he  ever  law  her 
again  ;  but  time,  and  the  long-felt  abfence  of 
this  only  and  beloved  child  had  moderated 
this  terrible  refolution  ;  and  he  was  even  con- 
fidering  whether  he  mould  not  forgive  her, 
when  a  meiTenger  arrived  from  the  convent 
with  an  account  of  her  being  dangeroufly  ill, 
and  not  likely  to  recover.  This  intelligence, 
and  her  difconfolate  mother's  moumfuf 
ihriek,  made  him  tremble,  and  he  diredtly 
R 


194  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


refolved  that  they  ihould  fet  out  together  to 
vifit  their  fick  child,  and  if  their  forgivenefs 
could  lave  her,  to  grant  it  without  referve. 

Juft  after  the  Nuns  had  informed  the  Ab- 
befs  of  Emily's  death,  the  Duke  and  Dutchefs 
arrived  at  the  convent,  languifhing  to  em- 
brace their  daughter.  The  Abbefs  re- 
ceived her  exalted  guefts  with  a  forrowful 
countenance,  and  announced  to  them  the 
fatal  news  of  her  deceafe.  The  Duke, 
ftruck  to  the  heart,  remained  fiJent  for  fome 
time  ;  at  laft  he  cried  out,  "  It  is  hard,  very 
hard,  to  have  loft  my  only  child  fo  Jong,  and 
now  to  find  her  dead  !"  He  tottered  to  a 
chair,  and,  without  farther  complaint,  fat 
quite  abforbed  in  his  dee p: feelings.  The  old 
Dutchefs,  weeping  and  lamenting  bitterly, 
haftened  to  the  cell  to  vifit  the  death-bed  of 
her  daughter.  "  If  I  can  no  more,"  fhe  cried, 
"  prefs  my  living  child  to  my  breaft,  nothing 
fhall  hinder  me  from  killing  her  corpfe,  and 
dying  with  her  I"  She  threw  herfelf  down  by 
Emily,  and  kitted  her  pale  face  ;  but  ftarted 
back,  as  fhe,  with  a  deep  figh,  raifed  herfelf 
up  and  flared  at  the  unknown  Dutchefs. 
To  defcribe  the  fenfations  of  the  latter  is  not 
poftible.  For  one  moment,  her  joy  at  finding 
her  child,  whom  fhe  believed  dead,  ftill  liv- 
ing, was  inexpreffible ;  but  terror  and  afto- 
luflunaot  inftantly  fupplanted  her  joy,  as  fhe 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


195 


perceived  that  inftead  of  being  her,  this  was  a 
perfon  whom  {he  had  never  feen  before. 
The  Nuns  ltood  by  in  amazement,  and  nei- 
ther party  at  all  knew  how  to  account  for 
this  extraordinary  circumftance. 

Emily  funk  back  upon  her  bed  direclly  ; 
fhe  felt  herfelf  better,  but  extremely  weak. 
Her  death-like  fleep  had  been  the  crtfis  of 
her  fever,  and  the  awakening  her  would 
have  been  very  dangerous,  if  fhe  had  not 
fallen  intoit  again  immediately.  She  was  fait 
aileep  before  the  Dutchefs  got  breath  to  en- 
quire of  thofe  about  her  the  particulars  of  her 
being  brought  thither;  on  hearing  which, 
fhe  was  convinced  that  the  conductors  of 
Emily  were  either  deceived  themfelves  on 
this  occafion,  or  had  deceived  them  for  the 
fake  of  the  reward  that  they  had  ofTered  for 
this  fervice. 

As  Emily  was  the  only  perfon  from  whom 
the  Dutcheis  could  hope  for  an  explanation 
of  this  myftery,  fhe  recommended  her  ear- 
nellly  to  the  care  of  the  Nuns,  and  returned 
to  the  Duke  to  acquaint  him  with  the  mi f- 
take  fiie  had  difcovered.  Without  a  mo- 
ment's delay  he  fent  off  a  meiTenger  to  the 
Captain  who  had  left  Emily  at  the  convent, 
to  defire  that  he  would  come  to  him,  and  in 
the  meantime  he  continued  there  to  await 


196  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


her  recovery.   He  heard  from  the  Nuns  that 

the  llranger  fpoke  only  German  ;  but  as  he 
was  raafter  or  that  language,  this  was  of  no 
confequence  to  him,  and  he  was  very  impa- 
tient to  iee  her.  On  the  fourth  day  from  her 
beginning  to  amend,  me  found  herfelf  much 
better,  and  was  able  toconverfe;  and,  as  ac- 
cording to  the  ftridt  rules  of  the  place,  no 
man,  the  phylician  and  confeffor  excepted, 
was  permitted  to  vifit  the  cells  of  the  Nuns, 
fhe  was  brought  into  an  outward  room, 
where  the  Duke  was  expecting  her. 

Emily  wept  for  joy  at  being  once  more  ad- 
drefled  in  her  mother  tongue,  which  had  a 
happier  effect  on  her  than  all  the  medicines 
ihe  had  taken.  She  anfwered  all  the  Duke's 
enquiries  ;  and  it  was  with  grief  he  found, 
that  me  could  not  give  him  any  account  of 
his  daughter. 

Thefe  unhappy  parents  experienced  ano- 
ther fimilar  difappointment  on  the  arrival  of 
the  Captain,  who  heard  of  this  miilake  with 
aftoniihment.  He  ov/ned  that  he  had  at  firft 
almoft  doubted  himfelf  whether  this  could  be 
the  Dutchefs,  but  was  confirmed  in  her  being 
fo,  on  feeing  the  brilliant  crois  upon  her 
breaft,  which  exaftly  anfwered  the  defcripti- 
on  of  that  fhe  was  faid  to  wear.  Her  refuf- 
ing  to  fpeak  Italian  he  therefore  confidered 


TJjc  Mountain  Cottager.  197 


as  mere  diffimulation,  and  had  purpofely  con- 
cealed  it  from  her  father,  left  it  mould  ftili 
more  inflame  his  anger  againft  her. 

The  crofs  was  now  produced,  and  imme- 
diately recognized  by  the  Duke  and  Dutchefs 
as  belonging  to  their  daughter,  and  they  pref- 
fed  Emily  to  tell  them  where, and  from  whom 
Hie  had  obtained  it. 

The  innocent  Emily  related  every  thing 
that  flie  really  knew,  and  much  more  that 
ftie  believed  me  knew.  She  aflured  the  Duke 
that  flie  had  received  this  crofs,  together  with 
many  other  jewels,  and  a  large  fum  of  money 
from  her  lover,  who  was  called  the  Marquis 
Lanego.  He  had  been,  flie  faid,  fome  time 
about  in  their  country,  as  a  moufe-trap  and 
hatchel  dealer,  and  had  collected  a  great  deal 
of  the  treafure  which  lay  concealed  in  the 
Fichtelberg.  That  on  the  day  in  which 
they  had  firft  become  acquainted,  he  was 
mortally  wounded  in  her  prefence  by  two 
men  in  mafks,  and,  as  ftie  fuppofed,  killed 
upon  the  fpot  ;  but  that  fhe  heard  of  him  af- 
terwards with  a  carriage,  horfes,  and  fervants, 
travelling  to  a  neighbouring  town,  from 
•whence  he  had  fent  her  the  money  and  jewels 
as  a  token  of  remembrance,  and  that  he  had 
died  at  another  town  upon  the  frontiers  of 
Saxony. 

R  2 


j  r;3         The  Mountain  Cottager. 

At  firlt  the  Duke  confidered  this  account 
as  the  delirium  of  her  fever  ;  but  as  me  con- 
ilantly  repeated  the  fame  ftory,  he  knew  not 
at  laft  what  to  think  or  believe.  The  mafter 
of  the  horfe,  who  ran  away  with  his  daugh- 
ter, was  named  Lanego:  he  could  only  there- 
fore fuppofe  that  this,  in  his  eftimation,  great 
villain,  had  lhamefully  forfaken  her,  and  dif- 
fipated  her  fortune  with  another  woman.  If 
this  was  the  cafe,  then  his  child,  he  reflected, 
might  now  be  languilhing  in  the  molt  ex- 
treme mifery  ;  and  wretched  at  this  idea,  he 
thought  directly  of  going  into  Germany  to 
feek  for  her,  but  previoufly  he  defired  once 
more  to  talk  with  Emily,  and  begged  her  to 
relate  the  whole  ftory  circumftantially.  She 
accordingly  did  fo ;  and  as  me  now  found 
that  the  Duke  was  in  fearch  of  his  daughter, 
whom  the  Marquis  had  carried  off,  it  came 
at  once  into  her  mind  whether  the  lady  they 
had  drawn  out  of  the  ftiaft  might  not  be  this 
daughter. 

The  Duke,  on  farther  enquiry,  was  by 
degrees  nearly  convinced  that  this  murder- 
ed lady  was  his  child  ;  but,  in  order  to  ob- 
tain greater  certainty  on  this  point,  he  refolv- 
ed  to  go  into  Germany  immediately.  He 
concealed  from  the  poor  mother  the  new 
fears  that  he  entertained,  and  flattered  her 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  199 


with  hopes  of  conducting  his  beloved  daugh- 
ter again  to  her  arms.  With  this  profpedt 
the  Dutchefs  fuffered  him  to  go  quietly,  and 
on  the  third  day  he  fet  out  with  the  Captain 
and  Emily.  The  joy  of  the  latter  was  with- 
out bounds,  when  fhe  heard  that  fhe  was  to 
return  to  her  native  country,  and  fee  her  mo- 
ther and  the  Countefs  again.  This  joy  made 
her  very  talkative,  and  with  the  naivete  of 
her  manner  fhe  often  charmed  the  Duke  from 
his  reveries,  and  almoft  annihilated  every 
fufpicion  which  he  had  fecretly  indulged 
againft  her.  He  began  to  believe  her  account 
to  be  literally  true,  and  that  fhe,  as  well  as 
his  own  daughter,  had  been  innocently  de- 
ceived by  the  arts  of  the  Marquis.  She  won 
the  heart  of  the  Duke  fo  much  during  their 
long  journey,  that  he  often  fwore  in  fecret,  if 
he  found  his  own  child  dead,  and  Emily  re- 
ally faultlefs,  that  me  mould  fupply  her 
place  to  him,  and  mould  be  his  heirefs. 


200  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


CHAP.  XIX. 


A 

FTER  a  journey  of  four  weeks,  the 
travellers  arrived  at  the  Countefs  von  M — 's 
eftate.  Emily's  heart  overflowed  with  joy, 
as  fhe  difcovered  from  a  diftance  the  turrets 
of  the  caflle,  and  the  little  white  cottage  in 
the  wood.  Her  unaffected  expreffions  of  de- 
light drew  tears  from  the  Duke,  and  me 
confirmed  her  intereft  in  his  heart  as  fhe  ten- 
derly wiped  away  thofe  tears  ;  and  repeated- 
ly affured  him,  that  fhe  would  do  everything 
in  her  power  to  comfort  him,  if  he  did  not 
find  his  child  again. 

As  they  drove  into  the  court  yard  of  the 
caflle,  and  the  fervants  difcovered  Emily, 
every  one  of  them  broke  out  into  a  loud  cry 
of  joy,  and  ran  into  the  houfe,  which  foon 
refounded  with  the  united  fhout  of  "  Emily 
is  here  again  !  Emily  is  here  again  !"  The 

Countefs  von  M  flew  impetuoufly  to  the 

window,  and  fell  back  in  a  fwoon  as  fhe  law 
her  child,  whom  fhe  believed  to  be  dead. 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  201 


Emily  hurried  up  ftairs,  and  found  her  in 
this  fituation  ;  but  her  tears  and  her  kifles 
foon  revived  the  fainting  Countefs ;  but  me 
could  not  •  fpeak — me  could  only  feel,  and 
locked  her  child  in  her  arms. 

The  old  Duke  flood  there  fpeechlefs,  and 
beheld  this  meeting  with  tears  in  his  eyes. 
He  was  fully  ffefilible  of  the  delight  it  muft  be 
to  embrace  a  child  again  under  thefe  clrctim- 
ftances,  from  the  eagernefs  with  which  he 
longed  for  it  himfelf. 

When  Emily  was  able  to  fpeak,  me  en- 
quired after  her  folter-mother,  and  wifned 
to  mare  her  joy  with  her.  On  this  the  ma- 
ternal heart  of  the  Countefs  was  no  more 
mailer  of  itfelf ;  fhe  knew  that  Emily  muft 
take  the  old  woman  for  her  mother,  and  flie 
was  envious  of  another's  bearing  away  this 
tender  appellation  from  her. — "  Your  old 
fofter-modier,"  laid  the  Countefs,  u  has 
died  during  your  abfence  ;  but  Heaven  has 
preferved  your  true  mother  in  me.  You  are 
my  child,  and  all  the  world  (hall  know  that 
you  are  fo,  and  honour  you  as  fuch." 

The  furprife  of  all  the  domefVics  prefent 
was  very  great ,  but  the  Countefs  continued 
her  difcourfe,  and  prefented  Emily  to  them 
all,  as  her  child,  and  as  her  heirefs.  She  faw, 


2&2  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


me  thought  only  of  her ;  and  was  too  much 
taken  up  for  fome  time  to  notice  the  Duke, 
who  had  no  inclination  to  interrupt  fuch  a 
fcene.  After  fhc  became  a  little. more  com- 
pofed,  flie  perceived  him,  and  Emily  prefent- 
ed  him  to  her,  as  her  deliverer,  her  father. 

"  I  am  happy,"  laid  the  Duke,  almoft  over- 
come, u  to  have  reftored  a  loft  child  to  your 
arms  ;  but  I  am  very  felfdh,  for  I  afk  of  you 
a  like  return.  It  were  cruel  now  to  check 
your  enjoyment  ;  but  .when  you  can  turn 
your  attention  to  me,  pity  an  afflicted  father, 
who  has  fought  a  lofl  child  for  a  full  year, 
and  who  hopes  to  learn  tidings  of  her  from 
you.  Is  my  daughter  really  dead  ?  Was  me 
the  ftranger  to  whom  you  generouily  .crave  a 
decent  grave  ?  Yet  I  do  not  wilh  to  hear  it 
to  day  ;  In  the  uncertainty  of  my  fate,  I  will 
fatisfy  myfelf  with  partaking  your  joy,  and 
hoping  that  the  fame  may  yet  be  mine.  But 
if  my  daughter  really  lives,  then  no  longer 
delay  the  blefted  moment  when  I  (hall  prefs 
her  again  to  my  childlefs  bofom."  After  a 
paufe,  the  Duke  added,  "  I  know,  I  feel 
that  it  is  in  contradiction  to  my  requeft  ;  but 
I  can  no  longer  fubdue  the  emotions  of  my 
heart,  which  impetuoufly  demands  intelli- 
gence of  its  darling." 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  203 


The  Countefs,  who  was  but  juft  relieved 
from  a  fimilar  fituation,  was  deeply  affected 
by  the  Duke's  diilrefs,  and  found,  with  real 
forrow,  from  his  anfwers  to  her  enquiries, 
that  me  was  under  the  cruel  neceflity  of  rob- 
bing him  of  all  hope.  "  Unfortunate  old 
man,"  fhe  faid,  "  your  daughter  is  too  fare* 
ly  dead  !  It  is  but  too  true  that  I  fulfilled  the 
lall  mournful  duty  to  her,  and  that  fhe  lies 
buried  in  the  vault  of  my  chapel." 

The  Duke  gnafhed  his  teeth,  and  mur- 
mured fome  unintelligible  words.  44  Oh, 
Madam !"  he  cried  out  at  laft,  u  the  fe- 
vered torments  are  nothing  to  what  I  feel. 
To  be  childlefs  in  my  old  age,  and  not  to 
have  the  fatisfaction  of  retaliating  on  the 
author  of  my  miferies,  what  he  has  fo  cruelly 
inflicted  on  me,  my  poor  wife,  and  our  only 
child,  is  too  much.  Mother  of  a  child,  pity 
me  !  If  he  is  yet  alive,  and  you  know  it,  and 
conceal  him  from  me,  then  may  the  curfe 
fall  on  you,  which  my  bleeding  heart  now 
teems  with  againfl  him,  but  which  my  tongue 
has  not  power  to  utter !" 

Countess.  "  Your  affliction  is  juft,  but  the 
revenge  you  feek,  if  .  it  were  poflible,  would 
not  foften  it.  The  Marquis  is  dead  ;  he  was, 
as  well  as  your  daughter,  murdered  by  a  def- 
perate  banditti.    He  had,  no  doubt,  injured 


a 04  The  Mountain  Cottager, 


you,  but  he  was  faultlefs  towards  her.  To 
the  laft  hour  of  his  life  he  loved  her  with  the 
utmoft  tendernefs,  and  never  would  have  fe- 
parated  himfelf  from  her,  but  with  the  hope 
of  its  being  for  her  fecurity,  and  that  it  would 
be  but  for  a  fhort  time." 

Duke.  Hypocrite  !  liar  ! — yet  no !  forgive 
me  in  this  boundlefs  grief  if  I  fpeak  with  too 
little  constraint.  You,  perhaps,  think  not 
that  your  daughter  has  difcovered  to  me  that 
the  bale  wretch  alfo  feigned  to  love  her  ;  that 
he  fent  a  prefent  to  her,  the  jewels  and  the 
money  which  my  daughter,  out  of  love  to 
him,  ftole  from  me.  And  probably — Oh  not 
probably,  too  certainly,  he  murdered  my 
child,  in  order  the  more  eafily  to  betray 
your's.  Oh  Madam  !  if  you,  on  whom  he 
would  have  drawn  a  like  misfortune,  can  yet 
excufe  him,  then — then  I  have  nothing  more 
to  fay  with  you !  then — farewell !  I  will 
hence  to  my  old  wife,  and  weep,  and  complain 
with  her  of  a  creature  who  thinks  thus,  and 
cannot  feel  with  me." 

Countess,  "  Stay,  dear  good  old  man, 
ftay  with  me  !  You  will  hardly  find  a  heart 
that  can  take  a  deeper  intereft  in  your 
affliction.  I  pardon  all  your  injurious  ex- 
preffions,  and  feel,  that  in  your  fituation,  I 
ihould  have  as  little  command  of  myfelf.  I 


The  Mountain  Cottager.  205 


will  relate  the  whole  flory  of  this  misfortune 
to  you  faithfully,  as  it  may  prove  a  con'oia- 
tion  to  you  to  be  let  right  in  this  error, 
which  I  was  once  in  my  lei  f,  and  to  be  con- 
vinced that  the  Marquis  is  innocent  of  the 
death  of  your  daughter,  that  he  loved  her  to 
his  laft  moment,  and  never  even  faw  my 
child." 

Duke.  "  Oh !  it  will  give  me  confolation  ! 
prove  it !  prove  it  to  me,  and  I  will  iincerely 
thank  you  I" 

The  Countefs  related  to  the  old  Duke  the 
hiftory  of  the  unfortunate  lovers,  as  I  have 
alreadv  related  it  to  my  readers.    She  had 

heard  it  from  the  Baronefs  von  Z  ,  who 

had  vilited  her,  in  the  expectation  of  find- 
ing them  under  her  protection.  Inltead  of 
which  (lie  only  heard  the  melancholy  catai- 
trophe,  as  me  did  not  doubt  it  would  prove 
to  be,  of  their  fate  ;  and  the  coffin  of  the 
murdered  lady  being  opened  to  afcertain 
this,  me  immediately  knew  her  to  be  the 
young  Dutchefs.  As  it  appeared  from  the 
Baronefs,  that  Emily  and  Lanego  were  the 
names  of  thefe  lovers,  the  Countefs  was 
fatisfied  that  the  calket  lent  by  the  Notary 
was  deftined  for  the  deceafed,  not  for  her 
daughter;  and  that  the  wounded  Marquis 
who  had  fent  it,  was  not,  as  Ihe  had  lup- 
S  ' 


2o6  The  Mountain  Cottager, 


pofed,  the  Savoyard  who  had  been  lately  in 
that  neighbourhood.  There  ftill  remained 
a  myfterioufnefs  in  this  affair,  which  the 
Countefs  and  Baronefs  could  not  folve  ;  but 
in  forming  their  conjecture  on  it,  they  were 
induced  to  believe,  that  it  mult  have  been  the 
emiffaries  of  the  irritated  Duke  who  were 
the  murderers  of  thefe  untimely  victims,  and 
they  often  execrated  this  unnatural  revenge. 
But  in  another  week  this  riddle  was  quite 
unfolded. 

The  wounded  banditti  put  themfelves  un- 
der the  care  of  the  fame  furgeon  who  had 
dreffed  the  wounds  of  the  deceafed  Marquis  ; 
and  being  fufpe&ed  by  him,  they  were,  on 
his  advice,  arrefted  by  the  officers  of  juftice, 
and  they  immediately  confefled  their  guilt. 
Soon  afterwards,  the  renowned  Jacob  was 
alfo  taken  as  he  was  attempting  to  fly,  and 
committed  to  prifon.  He  was  fubject  to 
the  Countefs,  and  confequently  was  brought 
before  her  judiciary,  who,  as  was  the  cuftom 
with  thofe  who  would  not  voluntarily  con- 
fefs  their  crimes,  put  him  to  the  rack,  and 
ibon  extorted  his  confeffion.  He  not  only 
acknowledged  his  recent  murders,  but  alfo 
that  he  had  deceived  his  neighbour,  who  had 
related  it  again  to  the  Baron  von  Tiefenthal 
and  the  Countefs  von  M  with  a  fabu- 
lous account  of  the  means  by  which  he  had 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


acquired  his  fortune  ;  and  that  thefe,  tru fling 
to  his  word,  had  taken  a  poor  Savoyard  for 
a- Marquis,  and  that  he  had,  for  his  own  fecu- 
rity,  murdered  the  innocent  creature. 

This  confefTion  enabled  the  Countefs  to 
prove  clearly  to  the  Duke  the  innocence  of 
the  Alarquis,  and  the  miilake  of  Emily  ;  and 
this  operated  fo  powerfully  on  him,  that  his 
ardent  defire  of  revenge  was  extinguished, 
and  facceeded  by  a  deep  forrow.  The  idea  of 
the  perfecuted  lovers  flying  from  one  place  to 
another,  and  being  compafTionated  by  Gran- 
gers, who  had  endeavoured  to  protect  them 
from  his  anger,  affected  him  very  fenlibiy. 
He  wept  bitterly ;  and  though  the  tears  flowed 
principally  for  his  daughter,  they  fell  alfo  for 
the  Marquis,  whom  he  would  now  willingly 
have  accepted  for  his  fon-in-law.  He  begged 
pardon  of  the  Countefs  for  his  injurious  ex- 
preffions  towards  her,  and  thanked  her  fin* 
cerely  for  the  interment  of  his  child.  "  To- 
morrow," he  faid,  "  I  will  vifit  her  fad  re- 
mains, and  mourn  over  her  coffin,  which  I 
will  take  with  me  ;  and  if  my  old  wife  afks  me 
whether  I  do  not  bring  back  her  daughter,  I 
will  give  it  to  her.  That  moment  will  cer- 
tainly be  her  laifc !  but  of  what  ufe  are  child- 
lefs  parents  in  the  world  ?  They  are  like  an 
arid  tree,  which  if  it  is  not  thrown  into  the 
fire,  only  {lands  mouldering  to  decay." 


2o8  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


The  Count efs  endeavoured  in  vain  to 
footh  the  old  Duke  ;  but  the  Toothings  of 
Emily,  who  was  already  dear  to  him,  and 
who  became  (till  dearer,  on  being  quite  clear- 
ed from  his  fufpicions,  were  of  much  more  ef- 
fect. i4  Be  you,"  he  cried  out,  tranfported, 
as  fhe  fell  weeping  upon  his  neck,  u  be  you 
my  fecond  Emily.  Fate  has  not  brought  you 
to  my  arms  in  vain.  I  feel  that  only  your 
fociety  can  confole  me." 

The  Duke  indeed  fpoke  truly  ;  for  though 
he  wept  frequently,  he  always  became  calm 
when  Emily  wiped  away  his  tears,  and  call- 
ed him  father.  As  the  Countefs  was  very 
eager  to  learn  how  her  daughter  came  into 
Italy,  and  met  with  him,  he  gave  her  the  hif- 
tory  of  her  adventure,  and  {he  then  regretted 
that  fhe  had  never  made  fuch  enquiries  after 
her,  as  might  have  led  to  the  dircovery  of 
this  circumltance.  But  as  fhe  was  in  her  own 
mind  Fully  convinced  that  fhe  alfo  was  mur- 
dered, nothing  eife  had  in  her  defpair  occur- 
ed  to  her,  but  to  beg  of  the  Jufticiary  to  ufe 
every  poffible  means  of  making  the  banditti 
own  where  they  had  concealed  the  body, 
that  fhe  might  at  lead  have  the  fatisfaclion 
of  giving  it  honourable  burial.  But  all  the 
efforts  of  the  Jufticiary  to  this  effect  were  of 
courfe  of  no  avail ;  and  the  Countefs  was  de* 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


200 


nied  her  wiflied-for  confolation,  of  vifiting 
the  grave  of  her  child. 

In  recounting  over  this  feries  of  events,  it 
did  not  efcape  the  recollection  of  the 
Countefs,  that  fhe  was  accountable  to  the 
Duke  for  the  money  and  jewels  which  me 
had  received  from  the  Marquis,  as  being  the 
property  of  his  daughter.  "  That  I  acknow- 
ledge myfelf  your  debtor,"  me  faid,  u  and 
fully  intend  to  repay  what  fell  thus  acci- 
dentally into  my  hands,  will  fufficiently 
appear,  from  a  letter  which  I  wrote  to  you 
a  month  ago,  mentioning  this  bufmefs,  and 
the  unhappy  fate  of  the  Dutchefs.  At  that 
time,  as  I  fuppofed,  :my  child  was  dead,  and 
every  thing  on  earth  was  become  indifferent 
to  me,  I  offered  to  repay  the  value  of  this  de- 
pofit  immediately,  by  the  fale  of  my  eftate  ; 
but  now  that  I  have  her  again,  I  wifh  to 
leave  her  my  eftate,  and  hope,  from  your 
generofity,  to  obtain  time  to  reftore,  by  pru- 
dent management,  what  favedme  from  ruin.15 

The  Duke  affuredlh^  fjCountefs,  that  he 
never  mould  defire,  nor-accept  of  any  restitu- 
tion ;  and  as  the  Countefs  refufed  this,  he 
turned  to  Emily,  and  conjured  her  to  grant 
this  firft  requeft  of  her  new  father.  Unable 

S  2 


2,io  The  Mountain  Cottager, 

to  withftand  his  earneft  entreaties,  fhe  grate- 
fully  accepted  his  munificent  prefent,  and 
put  an  end  to  this  generous  contention. 


CHAR  XX. 


A 

LL  the  inhabitants  of  the  caftle  now 
lhared  a  general  joy,  excepting  the  old 
Duke  ;  for  the  lofs  of  his  child  was  too  re- 
cent and  too  deeply  felt,  for  him  to  take  a 
part  in  it.  As  they  were  about  to  fit  down 
to  fupper,  the  Countefs  afked  Emily,  if  fhe 
thought  no  more  of  her  Wolfgang.  "  It  is 
not  handfome,"  fhe  faid,  "  thusfoon  to  have 
forgotten  fo  tender  a  lover." 

Emily's  cheeks  were  ftiffufed  with  a  deep 
blufh  at  this  queftion.  "  Forgotten  !"  fhe 
anfwered  \  "  1  mall  never  forget  him  !  He 
was  very  dear  to  me  before,  and  his  death 
and  his  innocence  make  his  memory  yet 
dearer  to  me.  1  fhould  forget  all  my  paft 
misfortunes,  if  he  was  but  ftill  alive  L" 


The  Mountain  Cottager,  211 

Countess.  4 '  It  is  poflible  that  he  may  yet 
live.  I  believed  you  dead,  and  yet  now  en- 
joy the  delight  of  having  you  again  in  my 
prefence." 

Emily.  "  But  I  was  eye  witnefs  of  his 
death !" 

Countess,  u  Only  of  his  wounding,  dear 
Emily.    How  if  he  really  yet  lives  ?" 

Emily.  "  Yet !  yet !  Oh  it  is  not  poflible!" 

Countess.    "  But  if  it  were  ?" 

Emily.  "'Then,  ah  then  !  indeed,  I  mould 
weep  for  joy !" 

Countess.  "  That  joy  fhall  be  your's ;  he 
will  fup  with  us  this  evening,  and  if  you  will 
give  him  leave,  fit  by  your  fide." 

Emily.  "  Ah,  no  I  it  is  not — Oh  you  ha- 
iafs  me  to  no  purpofe — it  is  not  poflible  !'* 

Countess.  "  Incredulous  girl  !  then  look 
round  and  be  convinced  to  the  contrary." 

At  this  moment  Wolfgang  came  into  the 
room,  Amply,  but  very  genteely  dreffed.  He 
had  heard  long  before  of  Emily's  arrival,  and 


212  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


hurried  to  fee  her  as  fhe  came  up  flairs,  and 
thus  thought  himfelf  prepared  for  this  inter- 
view ;  but  all  his  refolution  vanifhed  as  he 
approached  to  kifs  her  hand,  and  congratulate 
her  on  her  happy  return.  He  trembled,  he 
looked  earneftly  at  Emily  ;  tears  of  joy  dart- 
ed into  his  eyes,  and  he  could  only  figh. 

Emily  was  in  a  fimilar,  or  even  more  con- 
fufed  fituation.  This  unexpected  meeting 
with  a  man  whom  fhe  loved,  and  lamented  as 
dead,  was  almoft  too  much  for  her.  She  in- 
voluntarily gave  him  one  hand,  and  catch- 
ing his  with  the  other,  funk  fobbing  into  his 
arms. 

The  Countefs  witnefied  this  mutual  over- 
flow of  tendernefs  with  much  emotion.  "  Sig- 
ner Tartini,f>  fhe  faid  to  Wolfgang, u  you  are 
right;  the  bond  of  pure  love  is  eternal !" — 
"  Yes  indeed,  eternal !"  he  cried  out,  quite 
tranfported. — "  Eternal!  eternal!"  Hammer- 
ed Emily  after  him. — As  fhe  recovered  a  lit- 
tle from  her  aflonifhment,  me  began  to  afk 
how  it  was  pofhble  that  he  yet  lived  ;  that  he 
who  was  fo  dreadfully  wounded,  now  flood 
before  her  quite  well  ? 

As  the  like  queftion  will  no  doubt  be  afked 
by  my  readers,  I  will  relate  his  hiflory  in  the 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


213 


mod  concife  manner  poffible,  to  them  and 
the  enquiring  Emily  at  the  fame  time. 

Wolfgang  had  indeed  received  two  fiabs 
v/ith  a  dagger  from  the  wicked  Jacob ;  but 
one  of  them  had  only  bent  a  rib,  and  the 
other,  from  his  giving  a  fudden  turn,  had  on- 
ly cut  the  flefh  without  injuring  any  vital 
part ;  but  overcome  by  pain  and  terror,  he 
fell  apparently  lifelefs  to  the  ground,  Jacob, 
in  general  unerring  in  his  blow,  believing  him 
dead,  efcaped  with  his  colleague ;  and  Emily 
went  to  fetch  the  old  woman. 

Wolfgang  revived  fhortly  after,  and  his 
imagination  picturing  to  him  thefe  murder- 
ers, as  in  league  with  the  forcerers,  he  exert- 
ed all  his  ftrength,  and  fled.  Notwithftand- 
ing  he  endeavoured  to  tie  up  his  wounds, 
they  bled  very  much,  and  at  the  end  of  the 
wood  he  funk  down  quite  exhaufled.  There 
he  was  found  by  a  fhepherd,  who  took  him 
to  his  cottage,  and  tended  him  carefully.  As 
perfons  of  this  defcription  have  commonly 
fome  practical  knowledge  in  phyfic,  he  ap- 
plied the  juice  of  certain  herbs  to  his  wounds, 
and  nature  operating  yet  more  powerfully 
than  the  medicine,  in  four  weeks  he  was  able 
to  leave  his  ftraw  bed. 


214 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


About  this  time  his  benefaftor,  who  lived 
in  a  folitary  place,  heard  from  a  huntfman 
who  palled  by  his  flock,  the  hiitory  of  the 
banditti,  with  all  the  particulars  before  re- 
lated. The  circumftance  of  this  difcovery  be- 
ing made,  by  means  of  fome  wounded  men 
belonging  to  this  troop,  excited  fufpicions  in 
the  mind  of  the  Ihepherd.  Perhaps,  he 
thought,  my  guefc  is  one  of  thefe  wretches ; 
and  the  certainty  of  his  being  an  Italian  con- 
firming this  conjecture,  in  order  to  purify 
himfelf  from  all  imputation  of  guilt  for  hav- 
ing harboured  him,  he  left  the  nSck  to  his 
fon's  care,  and  went  to  the  jufuciary  of  the 
Counreis,  to  whom  he  revealed  what  he  fuf- 
pecled.  He,  very  naturally  from  this  ac- 
count, immediately  arrefted  Wolfgang,  and 
threw  him  into  prifon. 

His  examination,  by  leading  to  the  know- 
ledge of  who  he  was,  entirety  exculpated  him 
from  thefe  fufpicions,  and  gave  the  Countefs 
the  fatisfacYion  of  finding  that  her  Savoyard 
yet  lived.  He  was  directly  releafed  from  con- 
finement, and  as  his  wounds  had  grown 
worfe  in  prifon,  fhe  took  him  into  her  houfe 
to  be  taken  care  of  till  he  was  perfectly  reco- 
vered. She  was,  by  Jacob's  confeilion,  ap- 
prized of  her  error  of  his  being  a  rich  Mar- 
quis, and  having  the  knowledge  of  concealed 
treafures;  but  as  her  heart  was  peculiarly 


The  Mountain  Cottager. 


open  to  companion  by  the  lofs  of  her  child, 
and  as  he  had  fufiered  ib  much  from  her  mif- 
take  about  him,  and  had  become  dear  to  her 
daughter,  inclination,  as  well  as  juftice,  led 
her  to  pay  him  this  attention. 

The  Countefs  often  vifited  "Wolfgang  dur- 
ing this  time ;  and  befides  her  difcovering  ma- 
ny good  qualities  in  him,  he  gained  on  her  af- 
fections by  the  cordial  ihare  he  took  in  her 
affliction  for  the  loft  Emily,  whom  he  lament- 
ed with  lb  much  unfeigned  tendernefs,  that 
me  wept  in  return  with  him,  and  was  often 
obliged,  in  the  midft  of  her  own  forrow,  to 
give  him  confolation. 

As  foon  as  Wolfgang's  health  was  re-eila- 
blifhed,  the  Countefs  gave  him  the  appella- 
tion of  her  Secretary,  clothed  him  properly, 
and  let  him  eat  at  her  table.  He  felt  thefe 
beneficences  deeply,  ftudied  with  great  dili- 
gence, and  was  not  afhamed  at  the  age  he 
then  was,  to  learn  to  write,  in  order  to  be. 
come  worthy  of  the  title  which  his  beneiac, 
trefs  had  at  firll  beftowed  upon  him  ib  unde. 
iervedly.  His  continued  application,  his  fin. 
cere  gratitude,  and  his  unceafing  regret  for 
Emily,  fo  won  the  heart  of  the  Countefs,  that 
Ihe  foon  loved  him  as  her  ion.  It  was  in 
fhort  with  her  as  with  the  old  Duke,  that  me 
felt  a  chafm  in  her  heart,  and  wiilied  to  fill  it 


216  The  Mountain  Cottager. 


up;  thus  file  hoped  that  Wolfgang  would 
leflen,  if  not  fupply,  the  lofs  of  Emily  to  her, 
when  Emily  herfelf  appeared. 

I  will  not  be  prolix  on  the  conclufion  to 
which  my  hiftory  now  tends,  as  I  hope  my 
readers  guefs  it  already. 

At  the  end  of  three  months,  Wolfgang  and 
Emily  were,  with  the  confent  of  the  noble 
mother,  man  and  wife.  If  any  of  my  readers 
wonder  that  a  lady  of  rank  could  fo  readily 
marry  her  only  child  to  a  poor  young  Savoy- 
ard peafant,  I  muft  courteoully  entreat  them 
to  remember,  that  file  was  an  illegitimate 
child,  and  having  no  pedigree  of  high  decent, 
could  never  expe£t  that  a  legitimate  no- 
ble would  marry  her. 

The  old  Duke,  who  became  daily  more  at- 
tached to  thefe  young  people,  was  prefent  at 
their  nuptials.  His  firft  intention  had  been,  to 
leave  the  calile  immediately  after  the  full 
conviction  of  his  misfortune,  with  the  body  of 
his  dead  child ;  but  before  he  could  fet  out, 
he  received  advice  by  a  courier  of  the  death 
of  his  wife,  who  was  unable  to  fupport  the 
certain  lofs  of  her  daughter,  which  fhe  had 
learned  from  the  Countefs's  letter,  foon  after 
his  departure.  He  now  therefore  Hood  more 
in  need  of  confolation,  and  was  eafily  pre- 


Tbe  Mountain  Cottager.  217 


vailed  on  to  ftay  and  receive  it  from  Emily, 
who  made  it  her  ftudy  to  foften  his  affliction. 

By  the  advice  of  the  Duke,  the  Countefs 

von  M  foon  fold  her  eflate,  and  went 

with  him  and  her  children  into  Italy.  He 
there  endowed  our  young  Savoyard  with 
confiderable  pofTefTions,  and  by  his  influence 
got  him  raifed  to  nobility  ;  and  the  family 
of  Wolfgang  ftill  flourtfhes  there  in  great  af- 
fluence and  refpectability. 

The  Duke  married  the  Countefs  von  M — , 
and  lived  with  her  and  his  adopted  children, 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  in  perfect 
happinefs. 


FINIS 


T 


[      2I9  ] 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


A. 

Abbott  will  lam 

Antrim  IVI  I]  y 
Andcrfon  Andrew 
A/h  Henry 
Apple  Eliza  L, 
Anthony  Jacob,  jun. 

Hannah  Price 
Aifeerti  Maria  A. 
A.  B. 

.Armltrong  Mrs. 
.Adams  John 
.Andei -j on  Jacob  S. 
Aiiderfoir  Eleanor 
Arden  William 
B 

Bullock  Mifsj  Germancown 
Bell  Jeremiah 
Bammes  Margaret 
Boggs  Mrs- 
Baker  Mary 
Beninghove  Jacob,  jun. 
Bell  Thomas 
Blair  Waltere 
Baker  James 
Barry  Jon2tfcan 
Blanc  Jofeph 
Bonfali  John 
Biack  Jane 
Buchanan  John 
Bi  ins  Arthur 
Brandon  Maria 
B  anin  Elizabeth 
Bell  Mary 
Byrne  Terence 


Baker  Henry  C. 
Burrows  Mis. 
Brown  Ann  Mrs. 
Bark  Elisabeth 
Brown  Mary 
Brown  S.  B. 
Bidclie  Mary 
Barber  Cbarks 
Brown  Elizabeth 
Brawn  William,  jon. 
Brooks  David 
Buffington  Thomas 
Bartell  Margaret 
Bui  r.es  Mary 
Burrows  P.  Mrs. 
Burke  Michael 
Barnard  John 
Barringtoo  Thomas 
Boyd  John 
Bieyler  Ann 
Brown  Valentine 
Brown  Frederick  &  co.  cop- 
per piate  printers 
Baker  Sarah 
Bruce  George 
Brit  tin  Elizabeth 
Bletterman  Henry 
Brll  Jane 
Beck  ley  Mary 
Burnfide  William 
Bioren  Mary  Mifs 
Budd  Elizabeth 
Beany  DempHer 
Beaia'.  William 
Bui ns  Archibald 
Bennett  Abigail 


220 


Subs crjb rrs'  Njl me s . 


Bradford  William 
Brown  Chriftian 
Brooke  William 
Bell  Jyftph 

C 

C  ur  Robert 
Cbriftifon  James 
Campbell  I  homas 
Coopef  Sarah  H. 
Cloud  A Incr 
Carbrey  W  dliam 
Clopp  Mary 
Cooke  William 
C  a  .vford  Sarah 
Crawford  William 
Caifidy  Wiil'.im 
Carpenter  John 
Conarroe  Margaret  ta 
Cline  Jofeph 
Clotworthy  John 
Cook  Elizabeth 
Clinton  Mary 
Corkrin  James 
Chapman  Jahn 
Crarifton  Maria  fctf. 
Collins  &  Halloway 
Clark  Oliver 
Carr  John 
Cliffion  Deborah 
Clawges  John,  jun. 
Ch  rift  Ian  Peter 
Carpenter  John 
Cnriflie  David  Dr. 
Carpenter  Terefa 
Copper  J.  C. 
Campbell  James 
Culin  John 
Cai  penter  John 
C"ulcon  William 
Cowley  Margaret 
Clark  John 
Carteret  Efther 
Carteret  Elizabeth 
Cole  Elizabeth 
Conyers  John 
Cuetwood  Philip 
Cohen  Abraham 


Connelly  Patrick 
Coyles  John 
Cannon  James 

D 

Devoll  Elijah 
Davis  William 
Dolby  Catherine 
Dingee  Daniel 
Devereux  Mary 
Denman  Samuel,  (2  copies) 
Dennett  Sarah 
Dobfon  Sarah 
Dupleffis  P.  L.  B.  Jun. 
Davidfon  N. 
Dcjngel  Maria 
Dougherty  R. 
Dunlap  Eleanor 
Dnnoutet  Jane  Mifs 
Defcuret  Suiah  Mrs. 
Debril  Mary 

De  la  Grange  Jos.  E.  G.  M. 
Dupleflis  P.  Lc  Barbier 
Diehl  N. 
Dalzell  William 
Dorfey  Mrs. 
Davifon  Richard 
Dunton  Jacob 
Davis  John 
Duberneurd  Thomas 
Donaldfon  James 
Deitz  John 
Dunham  Nancy 
Durnell  Ruth 
Dubrc  Eleanor 
Dickinfon  Elice 
Dillingham  Ann 
Dalton  Edward 
Duval  Kitty  Mrs. 
Douglafs  Charles 
Dominick  Charles 
Davidfon  Eliza 
Duffy  Andrew 
Defhong  Mary  Ann 
Douglafs  Robert 
Dunn  Philip  T. 
Deney  Daniel 


Subscribers*  Names. 


221 


E 

EckenHorft  Mo  tin 
Evir.s  M  rgareita 
EhringhattS  Adplph 
Evans  Robert,  jun. 
Rngliftl  Joteph 
Everiy  Adam 
Ei  winc  R  )bert 
E:\itwick  Wtlliam 
Eilrnn  M irtraret 
Evans  Ellin 
E^ans  George 
Elder  Crawrbrd 
Engear.t  M  s. 
Ethvein  Dorothy 
F 

Fofter  Peter 
Fulton  Margaret 
Fleming  Stern 
Foulke  Charles 
Fricke  Mrs. 
Fridge  Alexander 
Fitzpatrick  Leticia 
Ford  Hannah 
Foi ten  James 
Frencn  Abraham 
Fletcher  Samuel 
Fox  George 
Fritz  Kitty 
Froit  Mary 
Farrow  Fanny  - 
G 

Guin  Aaron 
GoxF  Jane 
George  Mary 
Griffith  Mary 
Golden  Rachel  Mrs. 
Graff  Catharine 
Giofs  Jacob 
Grofs  George 
Gibbs  Hance  H. 
Gravenftine  George 
Geyer  John,  jun. 
Garrett  J  )hn,  Darby 
Guys»er  Gafper 
Graff  Frederick 
Gebler  Godfrey  jun, 
Geyer  Andrew 


Graff  Gforge 
Green  Mrs. 

H 

Htfrpur  Nicholas 

H  tmil  con  Arthvir 

Hamilton  William 

H;uc!:infon  Charles 

Hood  Geo<-ge 

Hat  rick  Jolhua 

Hurly  Ann 

Holt  Margaret 

Hood  M'Clellan  John 

Humphreys  Tliomas  R. 

Hirft  Thomas 

Henderfon  Mary 

H  iggins  John 

Htughey  William 

Hsrrford  Charles 

Haflings  John 

Holmes  George 

H  >rkins  William 

Helm  George  W. 

Holland  Nathaniel 

Hanter  J  imes 

Harper  Eliza  Mrs. 

HeJde.iey  Mrs. 

Hofner  Lucy 
Hall  Margaret 

Hanfe  Conrad 

Hamilton  George 
Hire  Margaret 
Hiney  Sarah 
Bill  Jolm 
Hendin  Edward 
Hanfon  Samuel 
Hiuke!  William 
Hamilton  Sarah 
Hill  Rebecca 
Hannold  George 
Hofner  Sop'iia 
Holliday  John 
Hood  John 
Hughes  Daniel 
Heart  ley  Jans 
Hill  Mintey 
Hamilton  John 
Huggins  Berj  *miia  Gaff? 


Helmbold  George 
Henckell  Mary 
Haziei  William 
Henchman  Adam 
Hende  fori  Eliza 
Hockley  E;eanor 
H''ggins  Margaretta 
Hammett  William 
Hopkins  Samuel 
Henderfon  John 
I 

Innes  Rebecca 
Irwin  Aon  Mrs. 
Irv  ine  N  incy 
Ivorey  Matthew 
ingiis  Maria 

J 

Jones  Ifiael 
Jones  Richard  C. 
Jones  Sarah 
Jones  Samuel 
Jackfon  David,  jun. 
Jones  William 
Jones  Sufanna 
Jefter  Mary 
Johnflon  James  Capt. 
Jones  Martha 
Johti foil  Jofeph 
K. 

Kelly  Hugh 
K.ing  Afa 

Keehmle  Sufannab 
Knox  William,  jun. 
Keatririg  Lamb. 
Knox  Mrs. 

Kifielman  Sufanna  Mi  s. 
Ke>  fer  Jacob 
Kale  Jacob 
Knowles  Thomas 
Kollock  Jane  Mrs. 
Kins;  Daniel,  jun. 
Kefl'er  John 
Keying  Mrs. 
K.ing  Ann 

Kiflelman  Frederic 
L 

Lee  Sufannah 
Little  Elizabe'.h 


Lyon  El izabeth 
Loid  Mary 
Leonard  Margaret 
Langmeyer  Frederick 
Leonard  Elizabeih 
Lort  Ifaac 
Latta  William. 
La  Combe  Dr. 
Lawion  Mary 
Lindfay  Eiiza  . 
Lippincott  John 
Lucas  Fielding 
Larkey  John 
Lehman  Catherine 
Lang  Irabella 
Laflitrr  Jacob 
Le  Clerc  Eliza  Mrs. 
L»ughery  Either 
Ted  Thomas 
Lacy  James 
Loper  John 
l.tfh.  Mary 
Lewis  Henry 
Lirtlewood  William 
Lynch  Jam<  s 
Laforgue  B  idget 
Lambert  Martin 
Lauer  George  P. 
Latimer  William  E.  (2 
pies) 

Lefii  Zachariah,  jun. 
M 

M1  Donald  William 
M'Kean  James 
M'Lean  John 
M'Neran  M  ny 
M'Cleran  Marcy 
M'Connomy  Michael 
M'Cullough  J  tines 
M1Leughlin  James 
M'GiM  James 
M'ltinzie  Caleb 
M'Lean  William 
M'Lever  William 
M'Cormitk  Mrs. 
M'Collay  Elizabeth 
MXulley  William 
iil'Farlane  M. 


Subscribers'  Names* 


yrCtfU&tk  William  H. 
Hi' Knight  Muthew 
M'Knilane  Sarah 
M'Keever  Neal 
M'K.enzie  John 
M'Coao.'ncy  Mrs, 
M'Lean  H-^or 
Miller  Jane 
Mearns  Jimes 
Mickey  William 
MafTey  Richard 
MaiFey  J.imes 
Marty  Charles 
Moore  Hugh 
Moore  George  S. 
Maxwell  Margaret 
Meldrum  R  ^bert 
Mania  J  tcob 
Moon  David 
Moore  Thomas 
Middleton  Williara 
Matthews  Patty 
Mann  Jacob 
M.ii'o.i  Tan  ton 
Means  John 
Mann  William 
Martin  Rebecca 
M  .l.ord  Sally 
Mecke  John 
Murray  James 
Meade  James 
Mudey  Peter  F. 
Maxwell  Anthony 
Morris  Martha 
M  >ore  Samuel 
Mathev  Louis 
M  1 1 is  Ri chard 
Mi  Iter  James 
Moore  A  exander 
Mull  in  John 
M.mn>ng  William 
Morris  Benjamin 
Mi>ler  H.  A. 
Mille.  Elizabeth 
Mebane  N.  M.S. 
MitchiU  J  imes 
Ma'ner  Perce 


N 

Nield  Charles 
Noble  Mary  Mrs. 
Niblo  Patrick 
Norris  Elizabeth 
Nielfon  Sarah 
North  Jofeph 
Newton  Anney 
North  John  C. 
Napier  John 
Nilfon  Lucindia 
Neilfon  Noble  C. 

O 

O'Ellers  Henry 
CTNeil  Daniel 
O'Connor  Martin 
Old  Elizabeth  Mrs*, 
Ord  George,  jun. 
Oliver  Elizabeth 
Ott  John 
Or.ram  Henry 
Oat  Jefle 

P 

Parke  Thomas  M. 
Potter  Wafhrhgton 
Pittma*)  Ephraim 
Penrofe  Sara1.  Mifs 
Plankinhom  Elizabeth 
Pitcher  Jonathan 
Price  Hannah 
Poultney  John,  jun. 
Park  Samuel 
Patton  Abraham 
Page  Thomas 
Phillips  Zalegman 
Palmer  John  J. 
Parncutt  Charles 
Peale  Mary  Mrs. 
Prie'l:  Rebecca 
Piffer  Eliza 
Petti C  Sarah 
Petors  Rachel 
Po'.hemus  Ana 
Pai  Tons  M;u-y 
Pemble  Catherine 
Parent  Thomas 
Piichett  Kintzing 


224 


Subscribers'  Names. 


Pintard  Henry 
Proctor  Sarah 
Peres  Frances 
Pednck  William 

CL 

Quinn  Ann 

R 

Rudolph  Benjamin 
Kobertfon  James  M. 
Ray  Eliza 
Richards  R;chard 
Rogers  Benjamin 
Rafield  John 
Ralfton  Rebecca 
Robinfon  A.  W. 
Rogers  Allen 
Rakeftraw  Rebecca 
Ro«. ers  Mahlon 
Rink  Sebaitian 
Reefs  Valentine 
Rufh  Deborah  Mrs. 
Rappo<>n  Chriftopher 
Ruflels  John 
Richards  William 
Rink  John 
3fv'ich:'rdfon  George 
Rine  J  fcph 
Rhoads  Hannah 
Reefe  Adam 
Rich  a fon  Daniel 
Richards  Samuel 
Reafs  Margaret 
Rice  George 
Ray  John 

S 

Sheaff  George 
Stever  George  W. 
Smith  Willet 
Smith  James 
Smith  John,  jun. 
Smith  William  W. 
Seckel  Lawrence 
Savige  Elizabeth 
Scot  Harriet 
Seeger  David 
Smith  Mary 
Stran  James 
Sican  Sarah 


Seguin  Elizabeth  Mrs. 
Smith  Catherine 
Sullinder  Thomas 
Stewart  Robert 
Shankland  Jofeph 
Smy  ih  William 
Smith  John  C. 
Stewart  Alexander 
Snyder  Charlotte 
Smith  John 
Simmons  Catherine  S. 
Scott  John  W. 
Sparks  Mrs. 
Sheppard  John 
Stites  Mrs. 
Smith  Jacob 
Sharp  Johns 
Schrack  Abraham 
Smith  William 
Seaborn  Robert 
Smith  Jjfeph 
Scheivee  Chtiftian 
Sieel  Ger»  >>e 
Steever  Nancy 
Shearer  Sarah 
Strong  Rebecca 
Shaw  Alexander 
Swell  James  Capt, 
Slefman  John 
Sinclair  James 
Scott  David 
Stam  John  R. 
Seide!  Sarah 
Smith  John 
Smith  Jamima 
Scott  Agnefs 
Smith  Maria 
Sherre:d  John 
Shirkey  Patrick 
Smith  James 
Shufter  Jacob 
Sto\.  Edward 
Smith  W.iliam 
Shutter  -Andrew 
Sigmund  Michael 
Seyferhelt  Lydia 
Sawyer  Wiiliara 
Svvain  Eliza  Mrs. 


Subscribehs*  Names, 


225 


T 

Tayler  Catherine 
Thornton  Nancy 
Travis  Hannah 
Tillin^haft  Hannah 
Tree  Rebecca 
Toby  Mrs. 
Thompfon  Jane 
Thompson  George 
Twaddell  James 
Thompfon  Mary 
Tal !mnn  Thomas  W« 
Taylor  A. 
Trump  John 
Thomond  Michael 
Thomas  R. 
Tribute  Sally 
Tate  si  Miry 
Taft  Eleanor 
Tarem  Samuel 
TnO^lsS  Robert 
Thomas  Ann 
Taylor  Amos 
Tryon  George 
Thomfon  John  T. 

V 

VanJerflice  George 
Vanhorn  David 
Voigt  Sebaftiau 
Voiui  Henry 
Vogdes  Jacob 
W 

Williams  Mary 
Wakeford  Onflow 
Whelen  Mary 
Winnard  James 
White  George 
Watfun  Mary 
WeUh  John 
Wehbe  Mrs. 
Watkins  Abraham 
Williamfon  Sidney 


Wheland  William 
Ware  Benjamin 
Waterman  Ifaac  S. 
Wray  William  and  co. 
Whalley  William 
Willis  John 
Walker  Samuel 
Wall  George 
Waddle  Aaron 
Whitby  Edward 
Williams  R. 
Williamfon  Eliza 
Wetherill  Mordecai 
Wimer  Mary 
Woodland  Ifaac  W. 
Work  Samuel 
Wildey  Richard 
Wright  Jofeph 
Wilkinfon  John 
Waters  Jonn 
Wert  Charlotte 
Wall  Richard 
W eifman  Mary 
Williams  Hetty 
Williamfon  William  A. 
Wiederfum  John 
Willfon  Robert 
Walker  Stephen  Surchevlor 
Watcher  John 
Williams  Henrietta 
Watfon  Chriftiana 
Well  Benjamin 
Wheien  lfrael,  jua. 
Webb  Rebecca 
Walington  Catherine 
Whiteford  Jane 
Y 

Young  Mary 
Young  James 
Z 

Zimerraan  Sebaftiaa0 


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Mourners  377  cents. — Whiteiields  Life  75 
cents. — do.  Sermons'  1  del. — Life  of  Chrift 
101*10,5  dol.— do  octavo  3  dols.  50  cents. 


[     22S  ] 


Likewife  juft  received,  and  for  fale  the 
following  entertaining  Books. — The  Rafli 
Vow  2  Volumes  2  dols. — Children  of  the 
Abbey  2  dols. — Alexis  or  the  Cottage  in  the 
Woods,  87-i  cents. — The  Boarding  School 
1  dol. — George  Barnwell  1  dol. — Conftant 
Lover  1  dol. — Lendrum's  American  Revolu- 
tion 2  dol. — Ambrofe  and  Eleanor  874.  cents 
— Bloflbms  of  Morality  75  cents — Plain 
Senfe  1  dol.  75  cents — Innocent  Sufferer 
397  cents. — Edward  a  Novel  in  two  Volume 
1  dol.  50  cents — The  Hermit  or  the  unri- 
valled fufferings  and  adventures  of  Phillip 
Qtiarl,  an  Englifhman  difcovered  upon  an 
uninhabited  Ifland  in  the  South  Seas  where 
he  lived  upwards  of  50  years  without  human 
afliftance  75  cents. — Soliman  and  Almena 
684  cents — Siamefe  Tales  66  cents — A 
Hi  (lory  of  Gen.  Wafhington  25  cents — 
Evelina  or  a  young  Woman's  entrance  into 
the  World  1  dol.  50  cents. — Hiftory  of 
Charles  Grandifon  abridged,  7 5. —Witty  ex- 
ploits George  Buchanan  127  cents — With  a 
variety  of  Song  Books  and  entertaining 
Hiftories  and  Novels  too  tedious  to  mention. 

Books  and  Stationary  on  the  moft  reafon- 
able  terms  fold  as  above,  and  the  Printing 
Bufinefs  in  all  its  branches  attended  to  with 
expedition. 


